Apprehension in Kanchanaburi Province
On September 17, a Myanmar woman was taken into custody in Sangkhla Buri district, Kanchanaburi province, after being found in possession of 920 empty M16 cartridges and 24 loaded M16 magazines. The arrest occurred when the local police were notified by a private delivery company about a suspicious brown parcel believed to contain bullets.
Discovery of Ammunition at Delivery Office
The staff at the delivery company’s office in Moo 2 village, tambon Nong Lu, became concerned after noticing the contents of the parcel through a hole. The package was addressed to Peerapol Pannaree at house number 241, Moo 2, tambon Nong Lu. The sender, identified as Porntip without a surname, had sent the package from tambon Nong Sak in Ban Bung district, Chon Buri province.
Upon opening the parcel, the police discovered 18 boxes, each containing 50 rounds of ammunition, and one box containing 20 rounds. They initially believed the package to contain bullets but later realized they were 920 empty M16 cartridges. The package also contained 20 magazines, each loaded with 20 rounds of M16 ammunition, and four magazines loaded with 30 rounds of M16 bullets.
Police Stakeout and Arrest
To catch the receiver, the police instructed the delivery company staff to deliver the package to the designated house while they kept watch from a distance. Around 7 pm, a woman emerged to collect the parcel and was immediately arrested. She was then taken to the police station for further questioning.
The detained woman identified herself as Porntip, a Myanmar national of Mon ethnic origin. She claimed to have been staying illegally in the country for 13 years. Porntip insisted that the parcel did not belong to her and that she was merely curious about its contents after seeing it left outside the house.
Charges and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities initially charged Porntip with illegal entry and stay in the country, as well as possession of ammunition without permission. She will be detained for further interrogation.
The incident raises questions about the circulation of illegal ammunition in the region and possible connections to criminal activities. Authorities are expected to continue their investigation to uncover any potential links and ensure the safety of the community.
Ensuring Community Safety
The swift action of the delivery company staff and local law enforcement prevented potentially dangerous materials from falling into the wrong hands. The ongoing investigation serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in maintaining community safety and security.
