“Breaking news from Bangkok as three individuals are arrested in connection to a major contraband meat smuggling operation. The Department of Special Investigation is now implicating five firms in the case. #Bangkok #Thailand #smuggling #investigation #meatseizure”
Major Contraband Meat Seizure and Arrests
Three individuals, identified only as Manee, Ran, and Mon, have been arrested in connection with a recent major seizure of contraband meat in Bangkok. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has implicated at least five firms in the smuggling operation. Manee and Ran were apprehended at a house in Prawet district, while Mon was arrested in Lat Prao district.
Court-Approved Warrants and Charges
Witthawat Sukhontharos, the director of DSI’s center for investigation and intelligence, stated that the arrests were made based on warrants approved by the court on October 19th. The arrested individuals face charges of evading import tax and importing goods, specifically pork, without permission, in violation of the Animal Disease Act.
Connection to the Death of a Department of Livestock Official
These arrests follow the tragic shooting of a Department of Livestock official, who lost his life after a cold storage room search in Phetchabun province on October 11th. Another official was injured during the incident. The arrested shooter, a local business owner, was upset that officials discovered about a tonne of contraband meat in his freezers.
Investigations revealed that the storage room had been in operation for several years and lacked a permit.
Proxy Companies Linked to the Smuggling Operation
Pol Maj Nathapol Ditsayatham, the head investigator in the smuggling case, announced on Saturday that the three arrested individuals are among six people connected to five companies acting as proxies for businessmen based in Samut Sakhon, Ratchaburi, and Nakhon Pathom.
Investigators suspect that as many as 10 firms may be linked to the illegal imports of the meats. Further investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in this smuggling operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the three arrests connected to, and how many firms are implicated in the case?
Three individuals, Manee, Ran, and Mon, have been arrested in connection to a major contraband meat smuggling operation in Bangkok. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is implicating at least five firms in the case.
2. On what charges do the arrested individuals face, and are the arrests connected to any recent incidents?
The arrested individuals face charges of evading import tax and importing goods, specifically pork, without permission, in violation of the Animal Disease Act. These arrests follow the tragic shooting of a Department of Livestock official who lost his life after a cold storage room search in Phetchabun province on October 11th.
3. How many proxy companies have been linked to the smuggling operation, and are further investigations ongoing?
The three arrested individuals are among six people connected to five companies acting as proxies for businessmen based in Samut Sakhon, Ratchaburi, and Nakhon Pathom. Investigators suspect that as many as 10 firms may be linked to the illegal imports of the meats. Further investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in this smuggling operation.
