Bangkok: Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 5 confirms that he is expediting the investigation into those involved in the e-cigarette theft gang.
According to Thai News Agency, Commander Pol. Col. Witthawat Chinkam is urgently expanding the investigation into the e-cigarette theft gang after a suspect, Mr. Son, claimed that a former security guard pointed out the evidence cabinet. Mr. Son is still being questioned after asserting that he was not involved in the theft.
Pol. Col. Witthawat Chinkam revealed that after detaining five suspects and questioning Mr. Son, the latter initially confessed in part. Mr. Son alleged that on May 31, he accidentally met Mr. Bank, Mr. Ek, and Mr. Lek, who went to the warehouse to steal e-cigarettes before an incident on June 1. Mr. Son claimed that he did not want to be involved and left the scene, fearing for his safety. On June 1, Mr. Son claimed he was asleep and not at the scene.
Mr. Son stated that he was unaware of which cabinet stored the e-cigarettes, asserting that several officers were involved in collecting them, making it likely that many knew about the evidence cabinet. The police, however, remain skeptical and are expanding the investigation.
Mr. Son is a temporary employee and repairman for the stadium warehouse, not linked to the Customs Department or the Port Authority. His acquaintance with Mr. Lek, a former security guard in the area, spans over a year. Currently, Mr. Son has not been charged as further evidence collection is underway.
Pol. Col. Witwat further mentioned that Mr. Bank’s interrogation pointed to other potential suspects, including former security guards at the Port Authority. Mr. Bank claimed that a former security guard provided information about the location of the e-cigarettes. The police are continuing their investigation to verify these claims, with assurances that no government officials are implicated.
Stolen e-cigarettes, amounting to one truckload, were sold on May 31st, fetching around 300,000 baht. The stolen goods were distributed among friends to find buyers, indicating a high market demand due to their scarcity. Mr. Bank, Mr. Ek, and Mr. Lek were allegedly involved in the initial theft and continued their activities on June 1st with additional accomplices.
The police are now investigating the buyers to trace the distribution of the stolen products and determine the scope of wrongdoing. Pol. Lt. Col. Witthawat suspects multiple incidents and plans to coordinate with the Customs Department to account for the remaining evidence.