Four Monks Arrested in Buriram Drug Bust Linked to Trafficking Network

BURIRAM — Police, border patrol officers, soldiers and local officials arrested four Buddhist monks in Buriram in a drug investigation after allegedly finding 184 methamphetamine pills and uncovering links to a larger trafficking network that later led to the seizure of more than 49,000 pills. The operation began early on 18 September, when a team led by Pol. Lt. Col. Suwat Nammonkol, deputy superintendent and head of the Buriram Provincial Police Narcotics Suppression Unit, investigated suspected drug trafficking near the border of Khu Mueang and Phutthaisong districts. Officers followed a suspicious black sedan for more than 40 kilometers after observing it allegedly run several red lights. The vehicle eventually stopped at a traffic light in Ban Nong Kung, Mueang Buriram district, where officers identified the occupants as two monks. The driver, identified as Tang, or Kittisak, 31, was carrying 10 methamphetamine pills, which fell onto the road when he opened the vehicle door, police said. A second monk, identified as Phiao, or Wachirawit, 22, was found carrying 89 meth pills hidden inside his robes. Officers also found another 82 pills concealed under the vehicle’s center-console carpet. Police then examined Kittisak’s phone and found messages and money-transfer records allegedly showing that he had purchased meth from another monk in Phutthaisong district. Investigators also found messages, voice recordings and transfer slips allegedly linking the abbot of the temple where Kittisak was staying to the purchase. Kittisak told investigators that the drugs had been purchased from a monk known as Plai, or Yutthana, 27, at a temple in Ban Pao subdistrict, Phutthaisong district. Officers later found Plai returning to the temple after alms collection. He allegedly admitted arranging the purchase of one bag of meth for 3,800 baht for Kittisak and said he had received five pills as payment. He said he and another monk consumed three of those pills and kept two in a phone box inside his monk’s quarters. Police also found drug-use equipment at the temple. The monks were subsequently taken to the abbot for disrobing, while investigators brought in the abbot identified as Tum, or Phiphat, 32, of Wat Pa Nong Hin in Prakhon Chai district. A urine test for Phiphat came back positive for drugs. He initially denied recent drug use but later admitted that he had used meth two or three days earlier. Investigators also presented Facebook Messenger conversations allegedly showing that Phiphat had instructed two monks to purchase meth from Phutthaisong. Phiphat eventually admitted that the temple had four monks and that he had been ordained for seven years. He said he had previously been involved with drugs before becoming a monk and had later returned to using meth after a temple worker introduced it to him. He said he and two other monks had repeatedly obtained meth through Plai. For the latest purchase, Phiphat said he instructed Kittisak and Phiao to buy one bag containing about 200 pills for 3,800 baht. The monks obtained 187 pills, which they intended to divide among themselves. Kittisak contributed 1,000 baht and Phiphat transferred another 1,000 baht, with the remaining 1,800 baht to be paid later. Phiphat said the money came from religious ceremonies and donations made by villagers. He also expressed concern about a religious event scheduled for 20 September, saying the temple had only four monks, three of whom had been arrested, leaving one elderly newly ordained monk who had been ordained only a few days and was still unfamiliar with chanting. Police subsequently expanded the investigation to identify the people who had supplied the drugs to the monks. On 19 September, investigators announced three additional arrests linked to the wider network. Police arrested Anirut, or The, 34, in a hut in Ban Chan subdistrict, Phutthaisong district, with 23 meth pills. Investigators said he had supplied drugs to the monks. Authorities then traced his alleged supplier to two brothers, Theeradon, or Wave, 22, and a 17 years old, in Ban Pao subdistrict. The two were arrested with a total of 49,200 meth pills. Police also seized a car and a motorcycle allegedly connected to the drug offenses. According to investigators, Theeradon initially denied the allegations but later admitted involvement after police presented evidence of conversations concerning drug sales. Police said messages also indicated that he had received instructions from a person in Laos to distribute meth at various locations for customers in Phutthaisong, Mueang Buriram and nearby districts, as well as Song Hong district in Khon Kaen. Police said records indicated that more than 20 bundles, or at least 40,000 pills, had already been distributed. Investigators also traced the delivery of one bundle containing 2,000 pills that had allegedly been placed near a signpost close to a bridge over the Mun River on the same night the monks were arrested. Police said those drugs had already been seized. Theerthawat allegedly told investigators that he had buried six bags containing about 1,200 pills under the house where his brother lived. Police recovered the drugs. He also led officers to another location where more than 20 bundles were allegedly hidden underground. Officers found a blue fertilizer sack containing 24 bundles, or 48,000 meth pills. Police said Theeradon later admitted that he and his younger brother had repeatedly collected drugs delivered to Phayakkhaphum Phisai district in Maha Sarakham province. On each occasion, they allegedly received about 50 bundles, or 100,000 pills, before distributing them to customers. The investigation remains ongoing as police pursue other people allegedly involved in supplying the drugs. The post Thai police arrest four monks in Buriram drug crackdown appeared first on Khaosod English.