A suspected lieutenant to a Banglamung drug dealer gunned down by police in July has been arrested on weapons charges.
Anucha “Tong Nakrob” Phonphaiphan, 26, was taken into custody at his home on Soi Banluekarnkha in Naklua Oct. 27.
Police found no guns on the premises, but under interrogation Anucha reportedly confessed to stashing guns at a nearby relative’s house. There investigators recovered four 9mm and 11mm handguns. Anucha was charged with illegal possession of firearms.
Investigators allege Anucha took over as head of the drug ring headed until this summer by Surachat “Tam Nakrob” Kaewchingduang, who, along with Aris “Kai” Wangweng, 17, were shot dead by Banglamung and Chonburi Provincial police July 13.
Officers claimed both were resisting arrest and Banglamung’s district chief later rewarded two of the involved officers who were injured in the arrest, with 30,000 baht each.
Anuucha is also the younger brother of Kritsada “Tao Pachachee” Phonphaiphan, a major drug dealer in Naklua before he was shot dead in 2008.
He was released from prison about a year ago where he’d been serving time for two drug and one weapons-possession conviction.
