Australian Luke Cook and his Thai wife Kanyarat Wechapitak are seen in police photos after being arrested for the alleged smuggling of crystal methamphetamine. (Narcotics Suppression Bureau photos)
An Australian who is a member of the Pattaya Hells Angels and his Thai wife have been charged with smuggling a large amount of crystal methamphetamine into the country, and assets worth about 20 million baht frozen for examination. Pol Lt Gen Sommai Kongwisaisuk, commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, said on Monday that Luke Cook, 34, and Kanyarat Wechapitak, 40, were arrested after arriving at Suvarnabhumi airport on Saturday evening on a flight from Australia.
They were wanted on arrest warrants issued by the Rayong provincial court for allegedly smuggling crystal methamphetamine, or "ice". According to Pol Lt Gen Sommai, on June 22 the couple bought 500 kilogrammes of crystal meth from a Chinese supplier in international waters.
While their boat was heading back to the Ocean Marina in Sattahip district of Chon Buri province, they encountered a patrol boat, dropped the drugs into the sea and escaped. Officials later found 50.45kg of "ice" washed ashore on Mae Ramphueng beach in Muang district of Rayong.
They applied for and obtained arrest warrants for the couple. On Sunday authorities searched nine locations in Pattaya and Bangkok. The seized assets worth about 20 million baht, including luxury cars, big bikes, condominiums and houses.
Pol Lt Gen Sommai said Mr Cook was a member of the Hells Angels motorbike gang in Pattaya. Investigators would also link into if he was involved in the murder of another gang member in Pattaya sourced to a conflict over illegal drugs.
Thailand - BN.
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