PATHUM THANI, THAILAND – A 28-year-old man who posed with firearms in a private Facebook group for months has been arrested. Cyber investigators tracked the suspect’s digital footprint to a house in Pathum Thani, where they uncovered an illegal weapons cache.
Shotgun and 245 Rounds of Ammunition Discovered
On Tuesday, June 23, officers arrived with a search warrant from the Thanyaburi Provincial Court. In the house, located in the Thanyaburi district, they apprehended the suspect, Patima Charoensuk. During the raid, police seized a short-barreled shotgun manufactured in Thailand. In addition, 245 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, including .380, .38, and .32, along with 20 and 12-gauge shotgun shells, were confiscated.
Digital Boasting Led Police to the Trail
Cyber police, under the leadership of Lieutenant General Surapol Prembutr, had been tracking the man for months. The investigation began with a private Facebook group where the 28-year-old regularly showcased weapons. Investigators gathered evidence, monitored online activities, and ultimately established a connection to suspected illegal trading. Major General Sarayuth Junnawat oversaw the investigation, which culminated in the issuance of the search warrant.
Confession After Arrest
Patima Charoensuk admitted to police that he had been dealing in weapons and ammunition for over a year. He provided details about his business model and his sources. According to investigators, he obtained the weapons from a network of partners who delivered them directly or procured them upon request. The ammunition, police stated, came from various shooting ranges.
5000 Baht Purchase, 10,000 Baht Sale
The illegal trade generated substantial profits. Investigations revealed that the suspect paid between 5,000 and 6,000 Baht for a firearm and resold it to customers for 8,000 to 10,000 Baht. With ammunition, he profited between 400 and 500 Baht per box. Cyber police view this as a system supplying a growing underground market with affordable weapons.
Hunt for the Network Begins
With the confession and the seized evidence, authorities are now significantly expanding their investigations. Law enforcement is working to identify suppliers, intermediaries, and buyers involved in the trade. Concurrently, police are analyzing the confiscated ammunition and reviewing data collected during months of online surveillance to determine transport routes and other individuals involved.
Charges and Next Steps
Patima Charoensuk has since been charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and transferred to the Thanyaburi police station. The evidence has been secured. The focus of the investigators is now on dismantling the entire trading network. Police are actively building cases against other suspects believed to have played a role in the thriving underground market.