Police and soldiers on Wednesday morning searched homes of local administrators in 10 provinces for evidence of corruption in the purchases of allegedly overpriced rubbish and sewage lorries.
The police's Counter Corruption Division (CCD) scoured the homes of chiefs of 12 local administration organisations, including municipalities, of Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Nonthaburi, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok, Rayong, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Si Sa Ket and Sing Buri.
CCD commander Pol Maj Gen Kamol Rianracha said about 140 police officers, soldiers and officials from the office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission conducted the searches, which targeted local administrators who supervised the procurement of rubbish and sewage trucks between 2013 and 2015.
Earlier reports said that each ten-wheeled rubbish/sewage truck should be purchased for 11 million baht - but the price paid was about 18 million baht.
The commander said that the CCD had found evidence of price collusion and irregularities in the median prices quoted in bids for contracts to supply such trucks for at least 21 local administration organisations.
