Drug dealers linked with Lao drug king arrested

BANGKOK, Feb 2 (TNA) -- Thai police napped more drug dealers linked with Lao drug king Xaysana Keopimpha who was arrested last month. Police anti-narcotics division implicates more suspects who allegedly involved in narcotics trade network of Xaysana who is in custody of Thai police since he was arrested in Suvarnabhumi Airport on January 20. Deputy police chief Pol Gen Chalermkiat Sriworakhan said in a press conference on Wednesday that police raided a house in Hat Yai, Songkhla, and seized 87 kilograms of crystal amphetamine and 24.1 kilograms of marijuana. The house was used to keep drugs by a Malaysian national who managed to escape, he said. Thai authorities believe over 100 members Xaysana’s network are in Thailand and a total of Bt100 million worth of his assets from drug trade remain in the country through money-laundering. Police along with the National Anti-narcotics Board and the Anti-Money Laundering Office were working to confiscate those assets such as luxury cars in processions of some individuals including celebrities, said Pol Gen Chalermkiat. Xaysana, 42, is suspected of heading a large syndicate smuggling narcotics from Laos via the Thai Northeast and South to other countries in the region. He was arrested after at least five years of investigation by Thai police. (TNA)