A man from the UK has been taken into custody in connection with the suspected planned murder of an Iraqi cartel member on Phuket Island in Thailand.
The individual, identified as Amir, aged 33, reportedly provided firearms to Colombian national Fernando Estaid Guevara Sanchez, 39, for the shooting of Ameer Mundher Mahmood, a 24-year-old from Sweden, in broad daylight on February 7. Fernando was apprehended on charges of premeditated murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition without authorization, and carrying a firearm in public without valid justification.
Following investigations, authorities determined that the British suspect was the alleged source of the weapons used in the criminal act while Ameer was tending to his motorcycle outside a hotel. Law enforcement officers traced the suspect to an upscale apartment in the well-known coastal town of Pattaya.
Upon his arrest under a warrant for involvement in premeditated murder and unauthorized possession and carrying of firearms in a public setting, Amir confirmed his identity in a video before the discovery of a knife and two phones near his sleeping area.
In his interaction with the police, Amir insisted he was innocent, claiming no knowledge or involvement in firearms-related activities. Despite his denial, he was described as uncooperative by Police Chief Natthasak Chaowanasai of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) in Thailand, who stated that the murder was related to internal disputes within an international drug cartel, causing distress among tourists present at the scene.
Further inquiry revealed that the incident was not a personal quarrel but a calculated assassination, a contract killing arising from a significant discord within a prominent overseas drug syndicate. Amir was pointed out as a pivotal figure in coordinating and supplying arms to the Colombian shooter for the execution.
Authorities disclosed that Amir had been residing discreetly in Pattaya, approximately 600 miles to the north, for an extended period. During a search of his rented residence, several items believed to be linked to the case were confiscated.
Lieutenant General Chaowanasai mentioned that despite Amir’s initial denial of the allegations, he was detained for legal procedures and continuation of the investigation into other members of the international network involved.
Previously unreleased CCTV footage showed Fernando, the suspected Colombian hitman, dressed in black, approaching the victim and firing multiple shots. Ameer was rushed to Patong Hospital but succumbed to severe injuries, including a gunshot wound that exited his body. Upon arrival at the crime scene, authorities found evidence of bloodstains and bullet casings scattered on the road.
Review of surveillance footage indicated the suspect’s hasty return to his lodging near Phuket International Airport. Subsequently, Fernando was apprehended at the hotel on charges related to premeditated murder and illegal possession and display of firearms in public.
Police Major General Sinlert Sukhum of the Phuket police stated that the alleged perpetrator, Fernando, arrived on the island on January 7 and was scheduled to depart on Qatar Airways flight QR843 on February 8, a day after the purported contract killing.
The officer suggested that the foreign suspect had likely been hired to carry out the murder of the Iraqi individual while he was present in Phuket.