Former actor surrendered among suspects in alleged bogus drug raid
Former actor Weerachaisriwanik Wanneukkul, 38, was among three men who surrendered to police early Friday morning to fight charges of posing as narcotic suppression officers in a raid on a Bangkok garage to “arrest” its owner over drug allegations.
The 26-year-old owner, Nuttapong Jitsaguan, was allegedly handcuffed by the three men, who then fled after his relatives showed up and his father told them he was an officer in the Royal Thai Air Force. However, even as Weerachaisriwanik turned himself in, a new report implicated him in another similar crime after hotel van driver Kreingsak Sarawadee, 33, was brought to police on Friday and identified the three as conspiring with another man to “arrest” him over a bogus charge before fleeing with his gold necklace worth about Bt50,000, an I-phone 7 plus cell phone and Bt10,000 in cash on the morning of November 4.
Weerachaisriwanik along with Siwat Lamsri, 36, and Narongrit Thongpan, 30, turned themselves in to Sai Mai police at 1.30am on Friday following a Min Buri court’s issuance of arrest warrants over charges of night-time intrusion involving firearms, posing as police officers, carrying guns in public without permission and illegal detention. Sai Mai police brought the three to appear in front of the Min Buri Court at 3.10pm on Friday to apply for the first detention period and objected to their release on bail given the seriousness of the crime, which has garnered national attention.
The suspects’ lawyer, Chamanant Wanwinwet, said the case was still being investigated by police, adding that although the men admitted they had been captured in CCTV footage taken by a hidden camera, there had been a misunderstanding. He said information reported on TV had been exaggerated, although he did not elaborate further. The suspects reportedly told police that they had disposed of their guns at Nuan Chawee Bridge in Nonthaburi, so police had contacting relevant agencies to retrieve the weapons, a police source said. Weerachaisriwanik was a model in 2000 before playing supporting roles in several television dramas such as “The Little Girl in The Glass Lamp 2” as well as a few films, including “Brown Sugar 2”, before fading from the entertainment limelight.
Meanwhile, national police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda advised people to take photos when facing threats by people claiming to be state officials and to remember their appearance and identifying features to help to authorities find them later. “Police will have symbols signifying the unit they are from on their licence plate, truck and hat. I try to make it the easiest for members of the public to file a complaint against rogue police. This is the era of transparency. Whoever does wrong will be found quickly as people have camera phones to record clues for the investigation and as evidence for prosecution. Officers that are guilty of wrongdoing or collecting bribes will be removed,” Chakthip said. Source: Asia Nation
