The planned operation, code-named “Chaiya Sayop Pairee 60/4”, comes after Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) officers interrogated drug suspect Sisouk Dao-heuang in Laos, NSB commissioner Pol Lt-General Sommai Kongwisaisuk said yesterday.

The NSB role, approved by Laotian authorities, yielded useful information about drug trafficking networks, including those allegedly run by Xaysana.

Sommai, who thanked Laotian and Malaysian authorities for their cooperation in the NSB probe, said further investigations were being carried out and evidence obtained to launch another “Chaiya Sayop Pairee” operation similar to one held earlier this year.

Following Xaysana’s arrest at Suvarnabhumi Airport on January 19, police launched operation “Chaiya Sayop Pairee 60/2” to search 40 locations nationwide, including a big-bike accessories shop owned by motorsport star Akarakit “Benz Racing”

Worarojcharoendet’s in Bangkok’s Inthamara area.

Akarakit, who is accused of buying a Lamborghini sports car with drug money from Xaysana’s network, has been charged with conspiracy to launder money. He was released on bail on condition he does not leave the country without court permission.

Akarakit’s mother, his actress wife Napapa “Patt” Tantrakul, and two employees at the Area 51 accessories shop were summoned to provide information to police investigating any links to Akarakit’s alleged money-laundering activities.

While NSB deputy chief Pol Maj-General Chatri Paisalsilpa said police were still waiting for the Office of the Narcotics Control Board’s opinion on what to do with Napapa, Sommai said it would become clearer later this month whether or not the actress would also face money-laundering charges.

Napapa told police investigators during a three-hour meeting at the NSB office on Friday that she had nothing to do with Xaysana’s network and didn’t know about her husband’s business activities or who he dealt with. She also could not tell the origin of Bt1.9 million that Akarakit wired to her bank account.

During a court appearance to hear charges last Tuesday, Xaysana said he would defend his innocence and would deny all charges brought against him by the NSB.

The public prosecutor indicted Xaysana for conspiracy with five others to smuggle drugs into Thailand to supply to his networks in southern Thailand and Malaysia.

The lawsuit said the charges had been made following the seizure of 1.2 million yaba pills in Nong Khai last October which led to Xaysana’s subsequent arrest at the airport.