Crime Suppression Division police raided premises in Bangkok and two southern provinces on Tuesday morning, launching a move against a major drug network and arresting a prime suspect.
Seven other suspects were also arrested.
The operation was led by Pol Maj Gen Montree Theskhan, the CSD commander. Of the 14 targets, 10 were in Trang, three in Phuket and one in Bangkok.
The main target was house No.100/245 at Moo 9 village in tambon Khok Lo of Muang district, Trang province. There, police arrested Chamras Noochong, who was wanted under a warrant issued by the Criminal Court. Police seized three guns and 27 rounds of ammunition.
Mr Chamras was allegedly a gunman working for Sommai "Daeng" Srithep, allegedly a major drug trader in Trang province and wanted under many court warrants. He is believed to be hiding near the Myanmar border in Chiang Rai province.
The CSD said the raids followed the murder on Jan 29 of Suchart "Poo" Sunthorn, 47, killed by gunmen at his house at an undisclosed location.
Mr Sommai allegedly hired hitmen led by Mr Chamras to kill Suchart, who failed to pay money he owed the drug network.
During Tuesday's raids, police also arrested seven other suspects, the CSD said.
They included Worawut Nooruang and Ekapol Sukkraithai, arrested under a warrant for involvement in the murder of Suchart.
The others were Kongkamol Jutipak, Purachet Bamrungrat, Thammasak Noonpa, Veeradej Saengchan and Wisa Chotikamas - all under arrest warrants on drug charges.
Other details of the raids and arrests were withheld
