Drug cases involving 'abductors' reopened
The Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) is reinvestigating drugs cases closed by police officers arrested last week over the kidnapping of a wealthy Bangkok divorcee.
The alleged kidnappers were led by border police officer Captain Nat Chonniti-wanich and other officers based in Chumphon. Their victim, Piengjit Peung-on, told police she had been abducted by the gang and released last Wednesday only after she emptied her bank accounts of more than Bt8 million.
As of yesterday, many more people, including a Chinese man, stepped forward to testify that they were also victims of these rogue policemen.
"We are now reinvestigating all cases handled by these policemen," ONCB secretary general Kitti Limchaikij said yesterday.
He admitted there had been many complaints against Nat and his accomplices.
On Saturday, a Trang couple accused the gang of abducting, robbing, torturing and forcing them to confess to bogus drug charges on January 6.
In one case, Pranom Changkham said she was sent to Samut Prakan Prison to face drug charges after Nat's gang abducted her and she could not pay a ransom.
"We have just interrogated a woman," Kitti said, adding that she was now awaiting trial.
Kitti said Nat's superior officer would face investigation over why the gang was allowed to operate in Bangkok without the permission or knowledge of local police. He said the investigation on this part would start on Monday.
Superior Colonel Singhanart Seekakaew denied any knowledge of his rogue officer's activities.
"I was appointed superintendent of the unit last October. Before I assumed the post, I was in charge of civilian affairs and a border-patrol police school," Singhanart said.
Had he been aware of the gang's activities, he would have taken action, he said.
"I cannot deny responsibility because I am their superior," he added. "But I am not worried because I am honest."
Meanwhile, 33-year-old Pinyo Sirawilakpakdee yesterday turned himself in to police but denied colluding with Nat's gang in extorting money from kidnap victims.
Pinyo and his girlfriend were implicated after evidence emerged that Piengjit's cash was transferred to their bank accounts.
Speaking to investigators at Bang Phlat Police Station, Pinyo said Nat's gang kidnapped him and his girlfriend, forced them to pay Bt50,000 in ransom and to open bank accounts with ATM cards. Pinyo and his girlfriend had no knowledge about the bank accounts' transactions after that.
[url=Drug cases involving 'abductors' reopened
The Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) is reinvestigating drugs cases closed by police officers arrested last week over the kidnapping of a wealthy Bangkok divorcee.
Published on January 28, 2008
The alleged kidnappers were led by border police officer Captain Nat Chonniti-wanich and other officers based in Chumphon. Their victim, Piengjit Peung-on, told police she had been abducted by the gang and released last Wednesday only after she emptied her bank accounts of more than Bt8 million.
As of yesterday, many more people, including a Chinese man, stepped forward to testify that they were also victims of these rogue policemen.
"We are now reinvestigating all cases handled by these policemen," ONCB secretary general Kitti Limchaikij said yesterday.
He admitted there had been many complaints against Nat and his accomplices.
On Saturday, a Trang couple accused the gang of abducting, robbing, torturing and forcing them to confess to bogus drug charges on January 6.
In one case, Pranom Changkham said she was sent to Samut Prakan Prison to face drug charges after Nat's gang abducted her and she could not pay a ransom.
"We have just interrogated a woman," Kitti said, adding that she was now awaiting trial.
Kitti said Nat's superior officer would face investigation over why the gang was allowed to operate in Bangkok without the permission or knowledge of local police. He said the investigation on this part would start on Monday.
Superior Colonel Singhanart Seekakaew denied any knowledge of his rogue officer's activities.
"I was appointed superintendent of the unit last October. Before I assumed the post, I was in charge of civilian affairs and a border-patrol police school," Singhanart said.
Had he been aware of the gang's activities, he would have taken action, he said.
"I cannot deny responsibility because I am their superior," he added. "But I am not worried because I am honest."
Meanwhile, 33-year-old Pinyo Sirawilakpakdee yesterday turned himself in to police but denied colluding with Nat's gang in extorting money from kidnap victims.
Pinyo and his girlfriend were implicated after evidence emerged that Piengjit's cash was transferred to their bank accounts.
Speaking to investigators at Bang Phlat Police Station, Pinyo said Nat's gang kidnapped him and his girlfriend, forced them to pay Bt50,000 in ransom and to open bank accounts with ATM cards. Pinyo and his girlfriend had no knowledge about the bank accounts' transactions after that. ]The Nation Jan. 28, 2008[/url]