Songkhla—
On February 8th, 2024, the Second Naval Area Command of the Royal Thai Navy was alerted to a concerning report of a boat suspected of engaging in illicit oil smuggling to fishing vessels in the vicinity of Songkhla.
In response to the incident, Thai naval authorities initiated an investigation into the matter. Upon inspection, naval officers discovered a vessel involved in the illegal trafficking of oil to local fishermen operating in the Songkhla on February 7th.
The vessel, allegedly modified for the specific purpose of clandestine oil transportation, was found to be carrying a staggering amount of more than 10,000 liters.
The operation resulted in the arrest of four individuals believed to be crew members of the vessel. The suspects, whose names were not released to the media, were promptly detained and escorted to the Songkhla Naval Base pier for further legal processing. The confiscated illicit oil was secured as evidence in the ongoing investigation.
This interception and subsequent arrest come as part of the Thai Naval Commander’s directive to proactively patrol, monitor, and safeguard the nation’s maritime interests.
The successful operation highlights the unwavering commitment of the Royal Thai Navy to combat maritime crime and ensure the integrity of Thailand’s territorial waters.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
