17-9-2023 (BANGKOK) A Myanmar woman was taken into custody in Sangkhla Buri district of this western province on Saturday after being found in unlawful possession of 920 empty M16 cartridges and 24 magazines loaded with M16 ammunition.
The arrest unfolded when local police responded to a tip from employees at a private delivery company located in Moo 2 village, Tambon Nong Lu, Sangkhla Buri district. The company staff had discovered a brown parcel that aroused suspicion due to its contents, believed to be ammunition. The staff had peered inside the package through a hole and noticed the concerning materials.
The parcel bore the recipient’s name, Peerapol Pannaree, residing at House No. 241 in Moo 2, Tambon Nong Lu. It had been dispatched from Tambon Nong Sak in Ban Bung district, Chon Buri province, with a sender listed as Porntip (no last name).
Upon inspection, the authorities found eighteen boxes, each containing 50 rounds of ammunition, and one box with 20 rounds of ammunition. However, what was initially thought to be live bullets turned out to be 920 empty cartridges designed for M16 ammunition. Furthermore, the parcel contained 20 magazines, each loaded with 20 rounds of M16 ammunition, along with four magazines, each containing 30 rounds of M16 bullets.
To apprehend the intended recipient, the police orchestrated a delivery of the parcel to the designated address. They maintained a discreet watch at a distance while company staff executed the handover. At approximately 7 pm, a woman emerged to accept the package, leading to her immediate arrest. She was subsequently taken to the local police station for interrogation.
The arrested woman identified herself as a Myanmar national of Mon ethnicity named Porntip. She confessed to residing illegally in the country for the past 13 years. She maintained that the parcel did not belong to her, and she had only ventured outside to inspect it after noticing it left in front of her residence.
The police have detained the woman for further questioning. Initially, she faces charges related to illegal entry and residence in the country, as well as the unlawful possession of ammunition without authorization.
