Narcotics agents raided a home in the eastern outskirts of Bangkok early this morning belonging to an accused drug lord.
The authorities searched the two-story residence in the capital’s Khlong Sam Wa district after discovering it belonged to Thanakrit Srisaknok, who is currently awaiting trial on drug trafficking charges and known in the tabloids as “Jojo Min Buri” or the “Godfather of Khlong Sam Wa.”
They also seized the property, which was reportedly purchased for THB20 million (US$560,000) with funds said to have come from Thanakrit’s alleged drug trafficking network. After the raid, the police said Thanakrit admitted the residence had been used to launder money and house drugs.
Police discovered several of Thanakrit’s relatives living inside the house but ruled out their involvement in trafficking drugs.
According to Maj. Gen. Phornphithak Ruyuenyong, the case against has been building since the 2017 arrest of an associate who told them Thanakrit smuggled drugs from the north and distributed them to small-time dealers, mainly in Min Buri district on Bangkok’s eastern fringe.
Thanakrit, who is in his early 30s, was arrested last month along with his wife. He has been charged with drug trafficking and money laundering.
Investigators believe that Thanakrit’s numerous real estate holdings and fleet of vehicles were all financed by his role in the drug trade.
Investigators concluded that his alleged trafficking network had about THB50 million (US$1.4 million) in assets. They have also seized an apartment east of Bangkok in Chachoengsao province valued at THB20 million.
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