Ex-CIB chief’s safes will be opened; more suspects will surrender

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BANGKOK, Dec 1 —  Thai authorities are searching for more evidence connected with Pol Lt Gen Pongpat Chayapan’s cartel.

The former Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) commissioner and two more cartel suspects are expected to turn themselves in today.

Forensic police planned to open three safes seized from Pol Lt Gen Pongpat’s homes in the Chaeng Watthana area on Friday. The authorities believed they would find valuables in the safes.

Besides, officials will search houses linked to Gen Pongpat’s network as he is suspected of receiving bribes from gambling dens, police seeking promotions and oil smugglers.

This afternoon Sgt Nathakorn Yasri and Sgt Theerapong Chorjampee suspected of receiving bribes connected with Pol Lt Gen Pongpat were expected to surrender at the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

Only one suspect–identified as Witthaya Theskhunthos–remains at large.

Fine Arts Department Director-General Borvornvate Rungrujee and his staff began examining an estimated 20,000 artifacts seized from Pol Lt Gen Pongpat’s network at the 1st Infantry Regiment.

They will sort and evaluate the artifacts in two months.

Meanwhile, Navy commander-in-chief Adm Kraisorn Chansuwanit said navy personnel had nothing to do with any bribery relating to oil smugglers in the South.