BANGKOK — Thai and Indonesian authorities are continuing working on investigation of drugs trafficking, regarding the arrest and extradition of Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Paeng Na-nhoad from Indonesia to Thailand.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Panurat Lakbun, Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) stated that the ONCB had invited the Indonesian counterparts on June 7 to an information exchange at the ONCB office (Din Daeng) to gather crucial details, particularly on Mr. Chaowalit’s drug network.
The aim was to identify the middlemen in this network who receive drugs from the northern region and send them to the south before they are shipped to Indonesia. It was also to identify those who obtain drugs from Laos and then send them to the south and on to Indonesia.
“After reviewing financial flows and other testimony, and if links are established, we may ask the court to issue arrest warrants for the suspects accused of conspiracy to traffic drugs. There are nearly 100 people who have been identified in Mr. Chaowalit’s drug network,” he said.
Thailand currently has a list of the network’s target groups, which it received from Indonesia. Extensive checks of financial channels, communication records, witness statements and asset verification will be required. However, there is as yet no evidence directly linking Chaowalit to the drug smuggling operations into Indonesia; only his network has demonstrated such involvement.
Chaowalit is a well-known and popular figure among the locals. Some financial transactions may have been in support of education or other aid to the community, which needs to be further verified. His network appears to consist exclusively of Thai individuals, while the Indonesian side consists only of Indonesians, with no involvement of individuals of other nationalities.
In connection with the investigation and prosecution of Freddy Pratama, a major drug trafficker wanted by the Indonesian authorities, Police Lieutenant General Panu Rattanklubun stated that he had never mentioned this name before. The name had surfaced through media reports and Indonesia had recently provided details to the ONCB to help in the prosecution, he said. He added that sharing too much information could alert the suspects.
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