Police Seize Gold Bar Worth 4 Million Baht From Drug Network

Narcotics suppression officers are continuing their crackdown on the Do Pa Phayom drug network after seizing a 1-kilogram gold bar worth more than 4 million baht that had been deposited at a gold shop in Surat Thani. In just four days of operations, authorities have seized assets totaling over 9 million baht.

On July 22, Deputy Police Commander Pattanasak Bupphasuwan ordered officers including Deputy Chief Pongsapat Chukaew and Region 6 Commander Anuson Thongsai to inspect and seize the gold bar, weighing 1 kilogram and valued at approximately 4,452,731 baht, from a gold shop in Mueang district, Surat Thani province.

The seizure follows an operation launched on July 17 under the codename "Cut the Silver Line, Crush the Do Pa Phayom Network Phase 1," in which officers raided three locations in Phatthalung province and confiscated 4,563,520 baht in cash.

Investigators then tracked the network's financial movements and discovered on July 20 that members had converted the criminal proceeds into gold bars and deposited them at a shop in Surat Thani province. Authorities seized the gold as assets related to serious drug trafficking offenses.

Investigations identified the gold as belonging to Khomchak, alias "Do," who faces six arrest warrants and is currently believed to be hiding in a neighboring country. He is wanted in connection with multiple serious crimes across Phatthalung, Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Trang provinces, including attempted murder of officials, solicitation of murder, and drug trafficking conspiracies.

Authorities have handed the seized gold to the Public Prosecutor's Office Region 8 for further investigation and asset forfeiture proceedings under drug laws. The gold shop owner cooperated fully with the investigation.

Over the four-day operation, authorities have confiscated a total of 9,016,251 baht in assets from the Do Pa Phayom network, comprising 4,563,520 baht in cash and 4,452,731 baht in gold bars.