PUBLISHED : 29 Nov 2023 at 04:00
The chief of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has been transferred, sparking speculation his abrupt transfer is linked to an ongoing investigation into a high-profile pork smuggling case.
The cabinet yesterday approved the transfer of Pol Maj Suriya Singhakamol, the DSI director-general, to the position of deputy permanent secretary for justice, as proposed by the Ministry of Justice.
The ministry cited the need to “maintain continuity of and work in the best interest of the civil service system”, said Kenika Ounjit, the government’s deputy spokeswoman, yesterday.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin previously expressed dissatisfaction with the DSI for delaying an investigation into pork smuggling.
Upon learning of his transfer, Pol Maj Suriya said via the department’s Facebook page that he had been ready for this kind of situation since taking the top position. “I do not regret it because I have done my best. I am honoured to work with everyone,” he said.
The transfer order came a day after Pol Maj Suriya led officials during a search of CP Axtra Plc, formerly Siam Makro, the operators of Makro cash-and-carry shops, in Bangkok’s Suan Luang district.
It also follows the DSI discovery of smuggled pork in 161 refrigerated shipping containers at Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri province in July.
On Monday, the DSI arrested two pork importers allegedly involved in smuggling.
Pol Maj Suriya told the press that some illegally imported pork had been supplied to Siam Makro. According to seized documents, the accused companies used to supply frozen pork meat and organs to Siam Makro worth 390 million baht. He said the company cooperated well with the investigation.
Meanwhile, Makro’s chief corporate communication officer, Siriporn Dechasingha, said that the company procured all pork from registered local sources and imported internal organs of pigs from registered traders, including the suspects, to meet the country’s demand.
However, the company had ceased procuring pig liver from the two suspects earlier this year and other internal organs from them in the middle of last year after finding substandard supplies, she said.
Makro chose to purchase internal pig organs from these suppliers because they had been a longstanding trade partner who had also supplied other products, including seafood, she said.
On Nov 15 and Nov 21, Ms Siriporn said a team of livestock, internal trade and health authorities had inspected purchase documents at Makro’s product distribution centres in Mahachai in Samut Sakhon and Wang Noi in Ayutthaya. Makro had supplied those authorities with proof of legal sources of pork and pork liver, she said.