CHONBURI, June 13 (TNA) – Three seized oil-smuggling boats carrying over 330,000 liters of illegal oil have gone missing from the Sattahip Naval Police pier in Chon Buri province.
The three seized vessels are the JP with around 80,000 liters of seized oil and 7 crew members, the Seahorse with around 150,000 liters of oil and 6 crew, and the Daorung with around 100,000 liters of oil and 5 crew.
These vessels vanished after being anchored a safe distance from the police dock due to severe weather conditions on June 9. Strong winds made it unsafe for the vessels to remain docked, so they were set adrift about 100 meters from the pier. However, they have not been seen since.
In response, the Sattahip Marine Police deployed patrol boats to search for the missing vessels but have yet to locate them.
Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Police, who is overseeing the case said the preliminary investigation suggests the involvement of up to 18 individuals.
He has personally visited the site along with police inspectors to ensure transparency. Any officers found involved will face strict consequences.
Authorities are also investigating how the crews managed to steal the anchored vessels, despite supposed security measures. CCTV footage showed the boats turning off their lights before disappearing at 8:10 PM on June 11.
Search efforts are ongoing both by sea and air, with cooperation from Cambodian authorities to track the vessels.
Pol Maj Gen Phruttiphong Nuchanart, chief of the Marine Police Division, has formed a committee to investigate the matter thoroughly and swiftly, aiming to conclude within 30 days. It is believed that the vessels have left Thai waters, possibly entering Cambodian or Vietnamese territories.
The suspects who fled with the seized vessels have been identified, as crew had to be on board to pump water regularly to prevent the vessels from sinking, with 3-4 people per ship. Those crew are the accused who were previously released on bail. -819 (TNA)
