A former deputy chief of Chiang Rai's Chiang Khong district was arrested for allegedly coordinating a network that forged more than 400 firearm purchase permits.
The arrest followed a Department of Provincial Administration (DoPA) operation targeting a transnational firearms trafficking network in Chiang Rai and neighbouring provinces.
Investigators discovered the forged permits were issued using the names and personal documents of local officials and community leaders without their knowledge.
During the operation, authorities also apprehended five other suspects, including government officials and gun shop owners.
Officers searched the former deputy district chief's vehicle and found a .380-calibre handgun, 37 rounds of ammunition and 130,000 baht in cash.
Investigators say he was already out on bail in a separate corruption case.
The investigation began after DoPA officials detected irregularities in Chiang Khong district's firearms licensing records from 2022 to 2023, where hundreds of purchase permits lacked possession licences.
Authorities intend to prosecute all individuals involved.
