Benz's sports car linked to drug lord

07 กุมภาพันธ์ 2560

The Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) said a 20-million-baht Lamborghini, owned by speed racer Akarakit Worarojcharoendet, was linked to arrested Lao drug kingpin Xaysana Keopimpha.

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Sports car linked to drug boss

Post reporters

The Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) said a 20-million-baht Lamborghini, owned by speed racer Akarakit Worarojcharoendet, was linked to arrested Lao drug kingpin Xaysana Keopimpha.

Mr Xaysana was arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport on Jan 19 as he arrived on a flight from Phuket.

Mr Akarakit, 30, alias Benz Racing, told NSB officials last week he borrowed 6 million baht in cash from Natthaphol "Boy" Nakkham, one of the suspects linked to Mr Xaysana, as a down payment for the Lamborghini, according to officials.

"Police found the luxury sports car was connected to Mr Xaysana," said Pol Maj Gen Pornchai Charoenwong, deputy NSB commissioner.

Investigators remain doubtful over several issues concerning the Lamborghini and the six-million-baht loan, he said.

Pol Maj Gen Pornchai said the investigation into the case is to be wrapped up this week.

Police are also waiting for additional information from Mr Akarakit about the vehicle after he revealed very little during questioning, he said.

Two more people among celebrities and high society types allegedly linked to Mr Xaysana will be called for questioning as they are believed to have knowledge of the Lamborghini, he said.

Whether they would be treated as witnesses or suspects depends on the investigators, Pol Maj Gen Pornchai noted.

Investigators will also look into monthly transfers of 300,000 baht from Mr Natthaphol to a car modification shop owned by Mr Akarakit, along with the shop's cash flow, he said.

Land Transport Department officials, Pol Maj Gen Pornchai said, will also be contacted to check the Lamborghini's "Ko Cho 51 Bangkok" licence plate, which was found to have been owned by a woman named Thanyarat Weeradecha.

The deputy NSB chief said that the Lamborghini was bought from a used car dealer, but refused to provide any more details.

Meanwhile, officials from the NSB, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) met Monday to sound out the outcome of Thursday's raids on 40 locations around the country believed to be linked to Mr Xaysana's drug network. The operation was codenamed "Chaiya Sayop Pairee 60/2".

According to Pol Maj Gen Pornchai, 11 people were arrested in the operation and a manhunt for another three suspects is under way.

The meeting also touched on the issue of the six-million-baht loan, a police source said.

According to the source, Mr Natthaphol told investigators that he had lent Mr Akarakit the money, but it was on the condition it was not to be used as a down payment for the Lamborghini.

Officials refused to give further information on how the money was meant to be spent, the source noted.

Mr Natthaphol and Mr Akarakit were found to have transferred money to each other over the past year, the source said, adding suspicions also arose about the amount of money transferred to Mr Akarakit's bank accounts several times and a probe into the issue is under way.