Thai authorities have seized assets worth more than 93.3 million baht after raiding a livestock farm in Roi Et that was allegedly used to conceal and launder money linked to a drug trafficking network.
The operation was carried out by officers from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau at NP Farm Mueang At 888 in Ban Namkham, At Samat district, at about 10am on Aug 5, as part of an ongoing investigation into a regional drug distribution syndicate.
Investigations began following the arrest of two suspects, Janthasak and Kanlaya, who were caught with 62,000 methamphetamine pills, also known as Yaba, on Nov 17 last year.
Police said further investigations revealed the pair had been distributing drugs under instructions from another suspect identified as Thanawat. Authorities later arrested Thanawat and two other individuals on May 15, with 325 Yaba tablets seized during the operation.
Investigators found Thanawat was allegedly working for a larger trafficking network believed to be led by Niphon, who is suspected of hiding in Laos. Police said Niphon communicated with members of the syndicate through the LINE messaging application and arranged payments following drug deliveries.
Authorities claimed the proceeds from drug transactions were collected at NP Farm Mueang At 888, where two individuals, identified as Denchai and Worrawate, were responsible for distributing cash payments or transferring money to members of the network.
Further investigations into four bank accounts linked to the suspects led police to confiscate assets belonging to Niphon’s wife, 33-year-old Chanoknuch, with the total value exceeding 93.3 million baht.
Among the assets seized were four plots of farmland covering about 6,400 square metres, vehicles, motorcycles and livestock. The farm was also found to house around 1,000 fighting cocks, 10 ornamental buffaloes used in beauty competitions and several purebred cattle.
Police alleged Chanoknuch and other relatives of Niphon were managing the farm and its assets, which were believed to have been used to disguise proceeds from illegal drug activities.
The Narcotics Suppression Bureau described the raid as a major breakthrough in efforts to disrupt a large drug trafficking network operating in northeastern Thailand.
Authorities have yet to reveal further details regarding efforts to locate Niphon, who is believed to still be in Laos.
