Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Foreigners Results in Over 9,500 Arrests
Introduction to the Operation
The National Police Chief has announced a large-scale operation targeting illegal foreigners, which ran from February 18-24, culminating in more than 9,500 arrests. This operation is set to continue under ongoing directives aimed at strengthening national security and curbing illegal immigration.
Operation Details and Coordination
Pol. Lt. Gen. Archayon Kraithong, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, reported that the crackdown was conducted under the guidance of Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, the National Police Chief. The Immigration and Transnational Crime Suppression Center, led by Deputy Police Chief Pol. Gen. Thana Chuwong, oversaw the nationwide operation. The primary objective was to arrest illegal immigrants, individuals involved in human trafficking, and those linked to illegal businesses and transnational crimes.
Arrests and Breakdown of Offenses
The operation resulted in a total of 9,532 arrests, encompassing individuals with outstanding warrants, overstayers, people with revoked permits, illegal workers, and others violating various laws. The arrests included Thai nationals as well as foreign nationals from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and additional countries.
Key Arrests and Seized Materials
Several notable arrests were made during the operation. One of the most significant arrests involved a call center gang, where authorities discovered grenades, over one kilogram of ketamine, and other narcotics. This operation was conducted by a joint task force comprising Immigration Police, the Central Investigation Bureau, and Tourist Police. Four suspects of Thai, Taiwanese, and Filipino nationalities were arrested. Among the Taiwanese suspects, one had five outstanding warrants in Taiwan, while two Filipino suspects were believed to have been trafficked into a call center scam in Myanmar. Thai officials, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, are investigating whether the individuals were victims of human trafficking.
Human Smuggling and Forgery Busts
In another major operation in Surin Province, Immigration Police, along with local authorities, rescued six Chinese nationals who had escaped from a human smuggling operation. These individuals had been transported from the border in a pickup truck but managed to flee. The authorities later raided rental houses and commercial buildings connected to a forgery ring that was producing fake Chinese passports for illegal entry. Thirteen suspects were arrested during the raid, and further investigations are underway.
Ongoing Efforts and Future Operations
The Royal Thai Police have committed to continuing their efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and transnational crimes, in alignment with government policies. These ongoing operations are vital to maintaining national security and ensuring public safety.
Conclusion
The nationwide crackdown led to significant progress in combatting illegal immigration, human trafficking, and transnational crime. Authorities remain vigilant in their commitment to safeguard national interests and ensure the safety of all residents. (TNA)
