Drugs link firms in bomb case

 

A separatist network linked to a major drug syndicate was behind Friday's triple explosions in Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok, says acting national police chief Priewpan Damapong Police were preparing to issue arrest warrants for two suspects thought to be involved in the blasts, said Pol Gen Priewpan. The pair were members of the Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) separatist movement, with links to a major drug trafficking network in the district. See also: The same is not enough He was speaking during a trip to Sungai Kolok yesterday to inspect the blast sites. Accompanying him were deputy national police chief Adul Saengsingkeow and deputy permanent secretary for justice Pol Col Thawee Sodsong. Narathiwat police chief Pol Maj Gen Chaithat Inthanujit reported progress in the investigation to Pol Gen Priewpan. Video footage from closed circuit cameras near the three attack sites captured images of two of eight bombers. The two men were identified as members of the RKK separatist group who are active in Sungai Padi district. Plainclothes police are monitoring their movements. Pol Gen Priewpan has asked police, soldiers and officials to boost security and clearly divide their zones of responsibility. A victim of the blasts has succumbed to his injuries, taking the death toll to five. Chan Daweng, 53, a Malaysian national, was pronounced dead on Saturday night at Yala Hospital. A Thai national and three Malaysian tourists were earlier killed in the blasts, which caused scores of injuries. Malaysia's Foreign Ministry advised its citizens to stay away from Thailand's deep south until the situation improves. A military source said the three coordinated blasts in the business and entertainment area of Sungai Kolok may be taken up for discussion among Muslim leaders who visit Saudi Arabia's Mecca to perform this year's haj. The blasts may draw the attention of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, which is likely to inquire whether the attacks were caused by Muslim rebels wanting to fight for autonomy. Over the past seven years, the southern unrest has claimed around 5,000 lives, mainly security workers. During the past three to four years, people involved in unlawful activities such as drug trafficking, oil and contraband smuggling rackets had been involved in the attacks, said the source. Pol Gen Adul, in charge of stamping out insurgent violence in the far South, and Fourth Army Region commander Lt Gen Udomchai Thammasarorat, said security officers found evidence showing that oil smugglers were funding the insurgency and attacks in the region. They had made connections between drug trafficking networks and the insurgency movement, Pol Gen Adul said. A crackdown on illicit drugs had triggered violence in the deep South, including Friday's bomb blasts in Sungai Kolok district. Drug suppression teams searched 12 suspected locations in Sungai Kolok on Tuesday and Wednesday. They arrested three drug suspects at a house in the district. A total of 14,072 methamphetamine pills, heroin and 100,000 baht cash were seized. While another team was searching another house, assailants shot at the team before fleeing. Officers found heroin, equipment used for taking drugs and weapons inside the house. Photos of insurgent members, including Samarn Arwae, were found in the house of the three drug suspects. The three allegedly confessed they were members of a drug trafficking gang. They also implicated Mr Samarn in the drug network, said the security source.