Police ‘sidecar’ into bust: Drug suspect nabbed in undercover sting
Police officers in disguise successfully apprehended a major drug suspect by blending seamlessly into the local community. Disguised as locals, they rode a sidecar motorcycle to the suspect’s home, where they arrested him without raising suspicion.
Officers from the Elephant Warriors unit of the 434th Border Patrol Police Company in Phatthalung, led by Yothaphon Rungsawat, orchestrated the arrest. The team disguised themselves as ordinary villagers, donning simple gardening clothes and using a sidecar motorcycle to approach the residence of Jarint Kongklai, a 28 year old suspect in a drug-related case.
Intelligence had revealed that Jarint had returned to stay at his home in Moo 13, Ban Chai Han, Khok Sai subdistrict, Pa Bon district, prompting the officers to execute their plan.
The police aimed to blend in with the local environment to avoid arousing any suspicion. Their choice of a sidecar motorcycle was strategic, as it is a common mode of transportation in the area, thus ensuring that their approach appeared routine.
Upon reaching the suspect’s house, they found Jarint sound asleep, unaware of the impending arrest, as the motorcycle made no unusual noise to alert him. The officers surrounded the house and woke him up to present the arrest warrant.
Initially, Jarint resisted arrest, requesting to see his mother first. However, he eventually conceded to the police. His mother, upon learning of the arrest, was quoted saying, “This time, let him stay inside for a long time.”
His criminal history is extensive, starting in 2016 with a drug case at Hat Yai Police Station, followed by another drug case in 2019 at Rattaphum Police Station. In 2022, he was involved in a theft case at Pa Bon Police Station, reported KhaoSod.
In 2024, he faced yet another drug-related case at Pa Bon Police Station. Jarint has served time twice in different prisons, first being released from Nonthaburi Provincial Prison in 2020, and most recently from Phatthalung Central Prison in 2023 for a theft conviction.
