Phuket-
A special operations unit under the Provincial Police Region 8 has dismantled a major illegal vehicle pawn and loan sharking network in Thalang District, Phuket, arresting two suspects and seizing 19 vehicles worth over 1.5 million baht.
The Region 8 Police told the Phuket Express that the raid on Tuesday (April 28th) was carried out under search warrants issued by the Phuket Provincial Court, and targeted two locations in Thepkrasattri subdistrict. Officers arrested a 29-year-old man, identified only as “Got,” and his 29-year-old partner, “Bew.” Authorities confiscated three cars and 16 motorcycles, with an estimated value of 1,562,000 baht, along with loan contracts, debt repayment records, and evidence of financial transactions. Investigators also uncovered a cash flow of more than 500,000 baht circulating within the network.
Police revealed that the suspects operated an unlicensed pawn and loan business, advertising on Facebook to attract customers. Posts offered to buy or accept pawned motorcycles and cars, regardless of whether registration documents were available, promising high payouts without intermediaries. Borrowers were required to surrender their vehicles as collateral in exchange for cash loans, while being charged interest rates as high as 5 percent per day, equivalent to 20 percent per month. Payments were collected via bank transfers when due.
Authorities have charged the pair with “operating a pawnshop without authorization” and “granting loans with interest rates exceeding legal limits.” Both suspects, along with the seized evidence, were handed over to Thalang Police Station for further legal proceedings.
