Thai and US authorities have arrested five Pakistani and Afghani suspects wanted in the United States on charges of drug trafficking, money laundering and possible links to terrorism.
The joint investigation team on Friday nabbed the five men in two separate arrests at downtown Bangkok hotels, said Police General Surasit Sangkhaphong, commander of Thailandâs Crime Suppression Division. A sixth man, also wanted by US authorities, escaped, Surasit said.
| "Feet, don't fail me now!" |
âThe US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and FBI and Thai authorities conducted the arrests and a lengthy investigation leading up to the capture of these guys. The US will be seeking extradition,â said a US official in Thailand, speaking on condition of anonymity. âI think this is part of a larger network. There may have been arrests in other countries related to this gang. Itâs a very big arrest.â
| Oh, good. I like big arrests. Betcha Maureen doesn't notice it, though... |
The official said US Attorney General John Ashcroft was expected to make an announcement later on Saturday in the United States about the arrests. Asked about the menâs involvement with terrorism, the US official said, âI think there was some possibility â there is some question about where the laundered money ended up and whether some of it might have moved to terrorist organizations.â
| 'Splain to me again the difference between a terrorist and a crook? I keep forgetting... |
Thai police identified three of the men, arrested at the Holiday Inn in Bangkokâs central business district, as Mohommad Khalid Azizi, Zalmai Abrahimi, and Waiz Uldin. |