Police Chief Orders Investigation
Nakhon Si Thammarat’s provincial police chief, Pol Maj Gen Somchai Suetortrakul, has ordered an investigation into four officers from the Bang Khan police station. The officers are accused of extorting 300,000 baht from a drug dealer, Chaiya, in exchange for his release last Thursday.
Fact-Finding Committee
A fact-finding committee will gather evidence, question witnesses, and review footage from nearby surveillance cameras to determine if legal proceedings should be initiated against the four officers. This comes after the investigation unit received information about the alleged extortion incident.
Background of the Case
The accused officers arrested Chaiya at an oil-palm plantation in tambon Ban Lam Nao of Bang Khan district. They confiscated 16,583 methamphetamine pills, a pair of sunglasses, sandals, drug paraphernalia, canvas shoes, a copy of an ID card, residence documents, and a car. Two local residents were reportedly involved in the arrest process.
Alleged Extortion
Following the arrest, the four officers are said to have extorted 300,000 baht from Chaiya in exchange for his freedom. Chaiya was subsequently released.
Officers Transferred and Investigation Launched
Bang Khan police chief, Pol Col Chakkrit Taewattana, received a complaint regarding the misconduct of the four officers involved in the case. The officers have since been transferred to other duties from June 16-30, pending the outcome of the investigation. The four officers include a police captain serving as a deputy chief of investigation and his crime suppression team, consisting of a police lieutenant, a police sub-lieutenant, and a police sergeant major.
The fact-finding probe began immediately after the complaint was received last Friday. Additionally, an arrest warrant has already been obtained for Chaiya, the drug dealer involved in the case.
