Suspected Lao drug lord denies charges
Xaysana Keopimpha, a Laotian national who is suspected to be a major drug lord with a network that spans Asean countries, denied drug charges filed against him and two Thais on Monday at Bangkok's Ratchadapisek Criminal Court.
It is the second lawsuit linked to 3.38 million yaba pills.
Xaysana, 42, who was nabbed by Thai police when he arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok from Phuket in January, was indicted on July 27 along with two Udon Thani men, Chumphon Panomprai, 42, and Ratchapol Ratsapolpakorn, 28.
They are facing charges of conspiracy to traffic in drugs and having yaba pills in their possession from July 2015 to December 2016.
The prosecutors also objected to any bail release for the trio, who have been in detention since their arrest, on the grounds of being a likely flight risk and the seriousness of the crime which saw a large haul of drugs seized.
Xaysana and the two others denied the charges. The judge said an evidence-reviewing session would be held on September 25.
Previously, Xaysana had been accused of drug trafficking involving the 1.2 million yaba pills that had been smuggled from Laos to Thailand. He pleaded not guilty.
That case is set for a witness hearing on February 13, 2018.