by Richard S. Ehrlich
BANGKOK, Thailand -- America's Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security and other agents are investigating "Russian organized crime networks" who are murdering and stealing in Thailand's most popular tourist beach resorts, according to a U.S. Embassy cable released by WikiLeaks."A number of U.S. law enforcement agencies are involved in investigating or monitoring cases involving Russian organized crime in Thailand, in cooperation with Thai partners, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"These law enforcement agencies report that criminal networks composed of mostly Russian nationals operating in Pattaya and Phuket are responsible for the commission of numerous crimes, including extortion, money laundering, narcotics trafficking, real estate fraud, financial fraud, human smuggling, pandering, counterfeiting, document fraud, cybercrime, and illegal importation of cars," plus killings. "While much of the Russian organized criminal activity in Thailand has occurred quietly, three specific cases generated public awareness of the phenomenon. In April 1998, Russian restaurant owner Konstantine Povoltski was found shot dead in a car near one of his two restaurants in southern Pattaya. "In August 2003, police apprehended three Russian bank robbers when their speedboat ran out of fuel, after they held up the Bank of Ayudhya in South Pattaya, stole 2.4 million baht ($80,000) and killed a Thai police officer in the process. Rinat Koudaiarov was sentenced to death for the shooting. "In February 2007, two Russian women were found murdered on the beach of Jomtien 10 km (six miles) from Pattaya, amidst speculation that it had been a Russian OC [organized crime] ordered hit." The U.S. Embassy also scrutinized Moscow's influence on Bangkok's economy, diplomacy and culture.
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