POLICE are certain that those involved in the escape of three oil-smuggling boats from the Marine Police pier in Sattahip and subsequent capture near Songkhla city in the south could be prosecuted despite prosecutors having raised the question that if they were seized in international waters it would make the case difficult, Naewna newspaper said today (June 19).
Pol. Col. Chatchwal Chuchaicharoen from the Economic Crime Suppression Division explained that the three boats were captured 80 nautical miles from the coastal baseline which is within Thailand’s exclusive economic zone though much further than the 12 nautical miles territorial waters.
With this issue having cropped, police will be joining the Attorney-General’s Office in investigating this case.
He added that oil smugglers are using legal loopholes to dodge capture but the initial capture of all five boats was within Thailand’s exclusive economic zone.
The five boats were seized separately with JP flanked by Chokboon and Kam Lai Ngern captured at one point with contraband oil found on JP. Seahot and Daorung were captured at a separate point with contraband oil found in the former.
Three of five boats, JP, Daorung and Seahot are managed by one person, later identified only as Mr. Lek with his full name not yet known, and he was the one who ordered the crews of the three boats to escape.
The other two boats are managed by a different person.
Suspects have told police that the oil was traded within the Thai exclusive economic zone with police checking this area and are certain that there is clear evidence of the crime being committed, he said, adding a discussion was held the Attorney-General yesterday and he suggested that another unit be questioned which means the evidence is strong up to a certain level.
Police are now rushing to complete the investigation within six months.
Pol. Col. Chatchwal added that of the five seized boats, only one is correctly Thai registered, with two of them sold to a Malaysian and after the sale the Thai registration was cancelled, while two others are unregistered.
Police summoned the registered owners for questioning but they did not show up. Even so it is believed they are all part of the same network.
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Top and Front Page: The oil-smuggling boats seized by police. Photos: Amarin TV
Also read: 3 oil-smuggling boats have arrived at Songkhla, 2 racketeers being probed
Contraband oil, many crew members missing from seized boats
A lot of movement at pier before 3 oil-smuggling boats disappeared
3 missing oil-smuggling boats heading for Trat then neighbouring waters
