Surat Thani police are using a new analytical tool to speed up investigations into nominee businesses on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, with 30 cases under review and expanded use targeting drug trafficking and money laundering involving 61 suspects.
A dedicated team has been set up to handle such cases across the three tourist islands, said Pol Col Sombat Chamsaeng, deputy commander of Surat Thani Provincial Police overseeing security and narcotics.
Courts have already delivered rulings in four cases involving nominee ownership of restaurants, car rental firms and visa services, with combined damages of about 10 million baht.
Two cases remain under court consideration, while 10 have been finalised and are awaiting submission to prosecutors. The remaining 14 are still under investigation, including one complex case with damages estimated at up to 1 billion baht.
Central to the operation is the Systematic Police Network Investigator (Next-Gen Edition), or SPNI-X, developed by the provincial narcotics and money-laundering unit. The program integrates data from phone records, bank accounts and documents to map networks and construct timelines.
Pol Col Sombat said the system has already proved effective in a major drug case involving 340,000 methamphetamine pills and 950 grammes of crystal methamphetamine.
Authorities obtained 53 arrest warrants, arresting 15 suspects linked to the drug network and 46 on money-laundering charges.
Assets worth about 100 million baht in 60 bank accounts were frozen, and 18 land plots seized. The investigation was completed within one month.
