Man linked to drug deaths
Police ID prime suspect in k-powdered milk probe
Police are focusing their investigation into 10 drugrelated deaths this week on the recently arrested 33-year-old Amornthep Chalermwat, known as “Un Kiwi”, who fled Bangkok after being linked with the production and sale of a fatal batch of the recreational “k-powdered milk” narcotic.
Phahon Yothin station police chief Pol Col Prasobpchok Iempinit told the media yesterday that investigators were looking into more evidence related to Mr Amornthep who was arrested in Phetchabun on Sunday.
Mr Amorthep however was arrested primarily on suspicion of attempted murder, after his girlfriend, Apisa Hongkhan, was shot at an apartment in Chatuchak district of Bangkok on the night of Jan 10. She was severely wounded.
He had been put on the wanted list of Phraya Krai police the same day after they found Panipak Chantharawarawan, 22, dead and her boyfriend, Thatchai Klomjai, unconscious after taking the ketamine and methamphetamine-based cocktail.
When he regained consciousness on the evening of Jan 10, Mr Thatchai had told police he had bought the drug from Mr Amornthp and Kulnathee Iemloy, another drug peddler who had been arrested earlier.
Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) chief Pol Lt Gen Pakkapong Pongpetra told the media yesterday in the press briefing that the suspect had confessed to selling the drug but denied any involvement in making it.
Mr Amornthep said Mr Kulnathee had also been part of the network of suppliers and dealers responsible for selling the drug, the MPB chief said.
Mr Amornthep served time in prison from 20052017 on narcotics charges.
Police had already arrested nine suspects, although have yet to trace the source of the drug which is known in Thai as “k-nom pong”.
After arresting Mr Amornthep police will seek warrants for the arrest of four more people in Lat Phrao district believed to be involved in the distribution of the drug.
Since Jan 10, a total of 10 deaths have been attributed to k-nom pong, with more more needing hospital treatment and two still in critical condition.
Recent laboratory tests also found large amounts of diazepam in this particular batch of the drug which is believed may have contributed to the fatal outcomes among its young users.