Thai policeman ‘Joe Ferrari’ charged with murder of drug dealer

Thitisan Utthanaphon, known as Joe Ferrari, has been charged with murder (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

A Thai police colonel, dubbed “Jo Ferrari” for his extravagant collection of cars, and six other officers were charged on Wednesday with murder for allegedly killing a suspected drug dealer while trying to extort him for money, authorities said.

Colonel Thitisan Utthanaphon and the other officers also face charges of extortion, dereliction of duty and confining a person against their will for the August 5 incident at their station, said Ittiporn Kaewtip, spokesperson for the attorney general’s office.