Cyber crime police raided house, in a housing estate in Bangkok, of Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief this morning (Monday), as part of their investigation into an online gambling operation.
Surachate, who was in the three-storey town house in Vibhavadi Soi 60 at the time, initially refused to let the police in, until Pol Lt-Gen Worawat Watnakornbancha, the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau commissioner, arrived.
A bronze Toyota Alphard, a grey Land Rover and a white Lexus were parked in front of the house.
The raid was led by Pol Maj-Gen Jaroonkiat Pankeaw, commander of the Police Cyber Task Force (PCT). Similar raids were also carried out this morning on about other 30 targets in Phetchaburi, Samut Prakan, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Saraburi provinces. Seven police officers, including a police major-general, who are under the supervision of Surachate, have been held for questioning
Pol Lt-Gen Worawat later told the media at the scene that they had sought prior permission from the CCIB for the searches, on suspicion that some members of an online gambling network have been hiding there.
He admitted that he didn’t know before the raid that the house belonged to Pol Gen Surachate.
Speaking to the media afterwards, the embattled deputy national police chief said that he had accompanied the PCT police during their search of his house, but claimed that nothing illegal was found.
He also denied any connection with any online gambling network.
Regarding his subordinates being held in police custody, Surachate said he trusts his men after having worked together for a long time.
The raids today are part of a follow-up investigation into an illegal online gambling operation, allegedly operated by “Pongsiri”, aka “Boss Tal”, president of the Lamphun Warriors Football Club, who was arrested in June this year on charges of involvement in online gambling and money laundering.
According to cyber police, money earned from the illegal gambling business was used to buy the football club to launder it.
