Thailand DSI files charges in major pork smuggling case

Charges have been filed against 22 suspects, inclusive of 12 individuals and 10 legal entities, by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in Thailand, following their involvement in a significant pork smuggling operation. Their assets, worth approximately 90 million baht (US$2,516,567), have been confiscated as part of the ongoing investigation.

The head investigator of the smuggling case, Police Major Nathapol Ditsayatham, indicated in a press briefing yesterday that an executive of Rainbow Group Co Ltd and another public servant were also implicated in the smuggling activities and have therefore been summoned by the DSI.

Special case No.59/2556, which pertains to malfeasance, has been lodged with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), added Pol. Maj. Nathapol. The DSI is concurrently investigating nine separate cases linked to private logistics services.

These services are alleged to have imported 2,385 containers of smuggled pork, totalling nearly 60,000 tonnes. It has been reported that a group of public servants from two government agencies may have connections to these transactions, reported Bangkok Post.

Following raids at two pork-freezing warehouses in Nakhon Pathom, it was discovered that three of the aforementioned private logistics companies had evaded import tax by paying smuggling fees to an agent, said Pol. Maj. Nathapol.

“The DSI will summon representatives of the warehouses in Nakhon Pathom this week. Some 259 million baht was transferred to them by Wealthy & Healthy Foods Co Ltd. However, no trade was made after the transaction. The money was then transferred to another two companies before being sent abroad.”

This statement reveals another layer of complexity in the ongoing smuggling case, indicating that investigations are far from concluded.

In related news, the abrupt transfer of Department of Special Investigation (DSI) director-general Police Major Suriya Singhakamol has prompted the House Committee on Agriculture and Cooperatives to seek answers from the government.

Pol. Maj. Suriya’s reassignment came into the limelight immediately after he conducted a search related to the smuggling of pork at the CP Axtra Plc headquarters, previously known as Siam Makro. To read more click HERE