Chief Veera told The Phuket News after the arrest that police received a tip-off that lorises were being used commercially in Bangla Rd, so they made careful plans to drive them into a corner.
“We spotted them but pretended not to see them, by driving past. I was sure that if they saw us leaving, they would come back out again, which they did. We separated into two groups and approached them from opposite direction, cornering them in a small alley.”
He named the three men arrested as Sumlee Sangchan from Rachaburi, Pichet Pimraj from Pitsanuloke and Peerapong Metula from Nakorn Phanom.
“The lorises will be handed over to staff at the Khao Phra Taew forest reserve, where they will be released into the wild.”
All three touts denied anyone was behind them, saying that this was their first offence and that they took the lorises themselves from the wild, though they could not remember where. They also said they did not know that using lorises for commercial purposes was illegal.
But Mr Veera said, “Most of the time, we end up arresting only the little guys.” He added mysteriously, “We have received information about the men behind the loris racket – but I can’t name them now.”
The three touts were taken to Kathu police station to be charged.