METROPOLITAN POLICE BUREAU ORDERS COP LOCKER SWEEPS AFTER DRUG SCANDAL
>> The Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) has ordered locker sweeps at all police stations following the confiscation of large amounts of drugs from a storage unit at Borwornmongkol station in Bang Phlat district.
Six police officers attached to Borwornmongkol station are accused of being involved in the drug trade as the scandal surfaced. Five of them are in custody.
MPB commissioner Sanit Mahathavorn said the search order is to make sure no illegal items including those seized as evidence are kept where they should not be.
An MPB source aid the sweeps are being conducted at 88 police stations and all divisions under the MPB’s jurisdiction after the arrest of Pol Capt Supat Prajonghat, 28, on Thursday for alleged drug dealing.
The policeman was nabbed by a team of police attached to Bang Khunnon station and Metropolitan Police Division 7 who were investigating the claim from two drug suspects that they got their supply from a policeman.
The two suspects were found with 1,400 speed pills and 100 grammes of “ice” during a recent raid at a housing estate on Charan Sanitwong Soi 35. They reportedly told the arresting team that they had bought the drugs from Pol Capt Supat.
Police found 13,000 speed pills, 100 grammes of crystal “ice” methamphetamine and an amount of ketamine in a locker of the investigating unit. The locker is said to be used for private storage by Pol Capt Supat.
A source at the MPB said the drugs were confiscated from a raid at a condominium in Charan Sanitwong Soi 95/1 on Feb 10. The drugs were seized, while the suspect was released without being charged.
The arresting team expanded the investigation and found that five other police officers at Borwornmongkol station were allegedly involved in the drug trade.
The Taling Chan court approved warrants for the arrests of the six for allegedly having drugs in their possession with an intent to sell.
Of the five, four turned themselves in to face charges on Friday. They were Pol Capt Nititon Polboon, 39; Pol Sen Sgt Maj Parinya Jithan, 50; Pol Sgt Maj Phunat Netsawang, 33; and Pol Lance Corporal Ruangyot Samboonrua, 27. The other officer, identified as Pol Lt Weerapol Khamdee, is being tracked down. Pol Maj Gen Thirapong Wongratpitak, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 7, said Pol Lt Weerapol was not in Bangkok and he had not contacted investigators.
Pol Lt Gen Sanit said there was sufficient evidence to support the charges.
“Besides the word of the two drug suspects against them, we have other evidence to back the charges,” he said.
The city police chief said in addition to drug dealing, the six officers would be charged with taking bribes and malfeasance in office. He said he did not believe their claim it was their first time. According to Pol Lt Gen Sanit, while legal actions are proceeding, the bureau is prepared to launch disciplinary probes against the six, who have been dismissed from the force in the wake of the scandal.
The MPB commissioner also apologised to the public, saying these officers were among a few who brought shame to the police force.
He insisted rogue police would be “eliminated” while assuring that the majority of the force was committed to safeguarding the public against crimes and vice activities.