Police Arrest Fugitive Arms Dealer Hiding in Mae Sot
Fugitive arms dealer Vipoo, wanted for attempted murder and weapons violations, was arrested in Mae Sot with his wife after police found drugs, a handgun, and nearly half a million baht in cash at their residence.
On July 25, 2025, the Anti-Trafficking Police Division, under the command of Lt. Gen. Pattanasak Bubphasuwan, ordered officers led by Pol. Col. Ekasit Pansita, Pol. Maj. Pattana Khlaivatthana, and Pol. Lt. Col. Theerrat Sakdibwornithikul to arrest two suspects: Mr. Vipoo (name withheld), 36, and Ms. Mallika (name withheld), 33, at their residence in Phra Thaat Phadaeng Subdistrict, Mae Sot District, Tak Province.
During the search, officers seized 99 ecstasy pills, 778 grams of ketamine powder, 76 ketamine tablets, a 9mm Glock 26 handgun with 30 rounds of ammunition, 6 rounds of .32 ammunition, 2 rounds of .380 ammunition, 156 electronic cigarettes, 489,160 baht in cash, 12 gold items weighing 186.29 grams (valued at approximately 800,000 baht), and a Honda PCX motorcycle.
Both suspects were charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, trafficking in Category 1 narcotics (ecstasy) and Category 2 controlled substances (ketamine), and possession of untaxed goods for sale. Vipoo was wanted by Mae Sot Provincial Court for firearms violations and by Chiang Mai Provincial Court on charges of attempted murder and armed nighttime assault. The arrest stems from an expanded investigation into an illegal weapons network that previously resulted in the seizure of 20 M4 rifles in 2567. Evidence linked Vipoo to the trafficking operation, leading to his arrest warrant. After posting bail, he fled and shot his ex-wife's boyfriend in Chiang Mai, causing serious injury. Investigators later received a tip that Vipoo was hiding in Mae Sot and found him with Ms. Mallika, his wife. During interrogation, Vipoo admitted to possessing the drugs but denied ownership of the firearms and ammunition. Both suspects remain in police custody pending legal proceedings, with Vipoo to be transferred to Mae Sot Provincial Court to face the outstanding warrant.
