Five cops detained in drug case refused bail
FIVE BANGKOK police officers arrested for allegedly failing to hand in drugs as evidence after a raid and then selling them to dealers were taken to court yesterday where their first round of detention was approved.
City police chief Lt-General Sanit Mahathaworn said police objected to bail for the five dismissed officers from Bovornmongkol Police Station – Captain Supat Prajonghat, 28, Captain Nitithorn Polboon, 39, Sgt-Major Parinya Jithan, 50, Staff Sergeant Phunat Netsawang, 33, and Lance Corporal Reungyos Sanboonrua, 27.
He said bail was opposed because of the possible long jail sentences facing the officers, their state official status and the risk of them tempering with evidence and threatening witnesses.
Another accused police officer, Lieutenant Weerapol Khamdee, 42, has yet to be detained.
Besides the charge of possessing illicit drugs, Sanit said the six officers would face two more criminal charges relating to officials wrongfully demanding or accepting any benefits for exercising or not exercising their duties, and officials wrongfully exercising or not exercising their duties to the injury of any person.
Yochai Saekow and Supakit Cheunchomchit – the two drug suspects arrested in a Bangkok sting operation that resulted in the seizure of 1,400 “yaba” pills and 100 grams of crystal meth or “ice” and who alleged that Supat was their supplier – were also brought to court yesterday where they were held under a detention order.
Supat was arrested at the Bovornmongkol precinct last Thursday.
Police allegedly found 13,000 yaba pills, 100 grams of “ice” and ketamine in a backpack in his office.
In response, Sanit ordered all Bangkok police stations to search their lockers and cabinets in search of illegal items, a police source said.
This case led to Friday’s transfer of superintendent Pol Colonel Wiradol Tabtimdee and inspector Pol Lt-Colonel Suparap Phetcharat to inactive posts for 30 days to ensure effective inquiries into their subordinates.