Jail for ‘Benz Racing’ as bail denied in money laundering case tied to drugs

[snoop1130]

Jail for ‘Benz Racing’ as bail denied in money laundering case tied to drugs

By THE NATION

 

 

MOTORCYCLE RACER Akarakit “Benz Racing” Worarojcharoendet was jailed on Monday after a judge rejected his Bt3-million bail application.

 

The 30-year-old Akarakit, who formally pleaded not guilty to money laundering earlier in the day, was denied bail on the grounds that the charges he faced carried heavy penalties and he could have posed a flight risk. Prosecutors had opposed his temporary release. 

 

Akarakit was then sent to the central remand prison where he will remain for the duration of his trial unless a new bail request is approved.

 

On Friday, prosecutors indicted Akarakit, Sansern Rasanont, 25, and Angsuporn Inna, 29, for allegedly laundering drug money and conspiring to launder money on behalf of accused Lao drug kingpin Xaysana Keopimpa. 

 

The three also face charges under the Measures for Suppression of Narcotic Offenders Act of abetting drug-related offences and accepting assets in return. 

 

Before entering the courtroom, Akarakit told reporters that he had nothing to do with drug trafficking and intended to clear his name regarding the money transactions while his lawyer, Sitthichok Trinet, said he was prepared to post Bt3 million in cash as bail.

 

In the months since the allegations emerged, Akarakit had never been held in custody. He remained free through seven detention periods prior to the indictment on Bt500,000 bail and on condition that he did not leave the country without court permission.

 

Akarakit, Sansern and Angsuporn are accused of collusion to accept money transactions on 53 occasions, for a total amount of Bt11 million, connected to Natthapol Nakkham, another suspect in Xaysana’s alleged network who has already been arrested, between December 29, 2014 and February 1 this year. 

 

Akarakit also wired Bt1.9 million to his wife, actress Napapa “Patt” Tantrakul, resulting in her being charged by Narcotics Suppression Bureau investigators for conspiracy to launder money. 

 

Akarakit caught the attention of authorities because of a Bt20-million Lamborghini in his possession that was linked to Natthapol. 

 

Akarakit claimed he had borrowed Bt6 million from Natthapol for the down payment on the Lamborghini.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30316648

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-5-29

[YetAnother]

this is the real news; thai justice system get one step right

[rkidlad]

WOW! Is he actually in prison for reals? If so, this is great news. People who think others are so negative about the justice system here will see first hand how positive people will be if this is real. 

[ratcatcher]

You guys are celebrating the possible jailing of a superdaddy. Just look at the face of his "poor" wife. How does it seem fair that she will have to look after junior on her own or with a nanny assisiting her. She's accused of laundering drug money as well as nappies.

It would be poetic justice if"  Benz" is finally found guilty that he could be in the cell next door to "Boss", the Red Bull killer, who, sadly, remains at large..

[smutcakes]

Not hi so enough. They need to make an example of someone after all the other fiasco's and this fella does not have the connections. 

[Misterwhisper]

Perhaps he'd have had a better shot at getting bail if his nick name were "Ferrari" or "Lamborghini". "Benz" is just too ordinary these days...

[Cuchulainn]

Would he have got bail if he was called Skoda Racing or Lada Racing?

[worgeordie]

That was a huge surprise,normally the courts take a large bail amount,

then hope the suspect does a runner,and forfeits the cash.

regards worgeordie

[darksidedog]

That's highly unusual. Normally if you have attended court, continued bail is assured. I suspect the cops have wind of a "Boss" type runner coming and have notified the judge. Even so, the Appeal or Supreme Court given his previous attendances will sadly, probably let the prick out again. Especially when part of that 3 Million starts spreading its love.

[USPatriot]

Proof he earned the bail money and not from laundering money

[Moonmoon]

For once having a permanent address does not prove that Benz is not a flight risk. Finally some common sense. 

[Wiggy]

10 hours ago, Cuchulainn said:

Would he have got bail if he was called Skoda Racing or Lada Racing?

Nothing wrong with Skoda. I went in to a garage once and asked, "Do you have a windscreen wiper for a Skoda?" 

The guy said, "Yes, that's a fair swap."

[Wiggy]

Good.

[sanukjim]

12 hours ago, YetAnother said:

this is the real news; thai justice system get one step right

In the photo they could be saying "What do you mean the judge turned down the brown envelop?Wasn't it the same amount as the other brown envelops? Well,how much more do you think that it takes?"

[klauskunkel]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Akarakit told reporters that he had nothing to do with drug trafficking and intended to clear his name

still intending to clear your name? Put your back into it, then...

[YetAnother]

10 hours ago, darksidedog said:

probably let the prick out again.

an interesting attribute of the current thai court system which does not have juries;  generates ideal opportunities to bribe judges

[phkauf]

Me thinks this is simply a tactic by the prosecution to get Benz to cooperate with their case against the big guys. Put a lot of pressure on this soft guy and he will flip very easily.

Benz is in a tough spot, all his own making of course, cooperate against a major drug kingpin or stay in prison where his rectum will be resized about yaah big (re: Saul Goodman).

In any case it's good to see that Thai justice is not an oxymoron every day.

Edited May 30, 2017 by phkauf

[MyFriend You]

14 hours ago, rkidlad said:

WOW! Is he actually in prison for reals? If so, this is great news. People who think others are so negative about the justice system here will see first hand how positive people will be if this is real. 

Looks like the tide is turning on these thugs, lets hope he isn't allowed to 'escape'  They should reserve a cell next to him for his whole family, they sure must know where the money came from, they benefited from it.

[Ridler]

He's just a poor peasant kid who made some money, that's why he is in prison.. no family money or fame behind him 

[idman]

If this poor excuse for a human being has any brain cells left he will clam up and take the prison time. His drug lords will make it very clear what will happen if he rats them out and also will insure that his time in prison will not be that difficult due to their connections inside the jail. I would also guess they will pay him a tidy sum in addition. A win win for him in the long run.

Sent from my SM-T805 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[overherebc]

13 hours ago, Misterwhisper said:

Perhaps he'd have had a better shot at getting bail if his nick name were "Ferrari" or "Lamborghini". "Benz" is just too ordinary these days...

In Germany it would be similar to 'Taxi'

[toofarnorth]

27 minutes ago, overherebc said:

In Germany it would be similar to 'Taxi'

To be honest when the headline says Benz racing I know who they are talking about. ( how many letters has his name got ) But he could never ever call himself  Fellari racing or Ramboginni racing .

[Jonmarleesco]

Obviously money laundering trumps police homicide as a serious offence.

[Golden Triangle]

Please, keep him in jail, don't let him out so he can do a ' Red Buller'.

[dcnx]

18 hours ago, rkidlad said:

WOW! Is he actually in prison for reals? If so, this is great news. People who think others are so negative about the justice system here will see first hand how positive people will be if this is real. 

"Unless a new bail is set"

 

Let's see if they stay serious.

[overherebc]

2 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:

Please, keep him in jail, don't let him out so he can do a ' Red Buller'.

Friend of Ferris ?????