Current:Home > MyA Thai senator linked to a Myanmar tycoon is indicted for drug trafficking and money laundering -ProfitQuest Academy
A Thai senator linked to a Myanmar tycoon is indicted for drug trafficking and money laundering
View
Date:2025-04-16 13:21:41
BANGKOK (AP) — State prosecutors in Thailand indicted a member of the country’s Senate on six charges involving narcotics trafficking, money laundering and association with a transnational criminal organization, said a statement received Friday from the attorney-general’s office.
The senator, Upakit Pachariyangkun, denied all the charges when he appeared Thursday at criminal court in Bangkok, and was granted release on bail of 10 million baht ($286,000).
Upakit’s case is linked to that of Tun Min Latt, an influential businessman from neighboring Myanmar who is reputedly close to that country’s ruling military and especially its army chief, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. The general came to power in Myanmar after ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.
The case against all of them involves allegations that profits from the sale of illegal drugs were laundered through a power company that Tun Min Latt and Upakit controlled, though the latter claimed to have sold his interest when he was appointed a senator in 2019.
Myanmar is a major producer and exporter of illicit drugs such as methamphetamine, most of which enters Thailand for local consumption or transshipment.
Thai and Myanmar media have reported that Upakit and Tun Min Latt have had shared interests in several companies. including a casino in Myanmar and a Thai power company.
Independent media in Myanmar and activist organizations have reported that Tun Min Latt was an arms broker for the junta. The United States has imposed sanctions on him, his wife and several of his companies for their role in supporting the junta, which is shunned by Washington for its seizure of power and continuing violent repression of its opposition.
Tun Min Latt was arrested in Thailand in September last year on drug trafficking and money laundering charges. Arrested with him were three Thai nationals, including Upakit’s Thai-American son-in-law, Dean Gultula. They pleaded not guilty to the charges in January this year and are being held pending trial.
Thailand’s Narcotics Control Board has announced that in the past few months it has carried out searches of several of Upakit’s residences and seized property worth more than 400 million baht ($11.5 million) on suspicion it was illegally gained.
The court scheduled an initial hearing for May 13 to review evidence in the case against Upakit.
veryGood! (45788)
Related
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- The RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Cast Reveals Makeup Hacks Worthy of a Crown
- 5 things to know about Southwest's disastrous meltdown
- A Black 'Wall Street Journal' reporter was detained while working outside a bank
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- Transcript: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Face the Nation, July 9, 2023
- Disney employees must return to work in office for at least 4 days a week, CEO says
- Big Oil Took a Big Hit from the Coronavirus, Earnings Reports Show
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- New Arctic Council Reports Underline the Growing Concerns About the Health and Climate Impacts of Polar Air Pollution
Ranking
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Cryptocurrency giant Coinbase strikes a $100 million deal with New York regulators
- Ryan Reynolds, Bruce Willis, Dwayne Johnson and Other Proud Girl Dads
- Camp Pendleton Marine raped girl, 14, in barracks, her family claims
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- FTC wants to ban fake product reviews, warning that AI could make things worse
- Southwest plans on near-normal operations Friday after widespread cancellations
- Delaware U.S. attorney says Justice Dept. officials gave him broad authority in Hunter Biden probe, contradicting whistleblower testimony
Recommendation
California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
From Brexit to Regrexit
Delaware U.S. attorney says Justice Dept. officials gave him broad authority in Hunter Biden probe, contradicting whistleblower testimony
Today's Al Roker Reflects on Health Scares in Emotional Father's Day Tribute
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
Are you being tricked into working harder? (Indicator favorite)
Paying for Extreme Weather: Wildfire, Hurricanes, Floods and Droughts Quadrupled in Cost Since 1980
New Arctic Council Reports Underline the Growing Concerns About the Health and Climate Impacts of Polar Air Pollution