Drug suspect shot, cop hurt in sting operation
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A drug suspect was shot and seriously injured after he attempted to run his taxicab into a policeman to make an escape from a sting operation in the heart of Bangkok early yesterday.
Wanchai Wongjanruang, 32, received a gunshot wound in the nape of his neck. He received treatment at Bumrungrad Hospital under the social-security scheme, which now offers free medical treatment at all medical facilities in an emergency.
Pol Senior Sgt Major Kannapong Huasri, pulled the trigger after the taxicab knocked him down in front of the Grand President Hotel in Vadhana district. The policeman received minor injuries to his knees and hands.
Lumpini Station superintendent Colonel Rangsan Praditphon said they had received a tip off that Wanchai was not just a taxi driver but also a pusher of crystal meth-amphetamine.
“So, we arranged the sting operation,” he said.
Pol Captain Monchai Penglert, a deputy inspector at the Lumpini Station, headed the sting, with four other policemen including Kannapong supporting it.
Police allege when Wanchai showed up to deliver the illicit drugs to the undercover policemen, he discovered it was a trap and tried to make an escape.
Moments after his cab hit Kannapong, he was shot – the bullet breaking the rear mirror of the pink cab and hitting Wanchai in the neck.
Police said later they planned to relocate the drug suspect to the Police General Hospital.
Police plan to charge Wanchai with having crystal meth-amphetamine in his possession with intention to sell. They claim 2grams of crystal meth were found in his cab alongside Bt6,000 in cash police gave him during the sting operation.
Rangsan said he planned to request promotion or a reward for Kannapong for his dedication to his job.
