Police launched dozens of raids in a crack down on crime gangs across Thailand.

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) launched operation 'Crush Influence' targetting influential syndicates in a bid to stamp out crime in the country.

Police General Kittirat Phanphet, commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police, announced the results of the initiative on December 12.

He said: 'This operation is in line with the Prime Minister's directive to crack down on wrongdoing. There were 118 target locations nationwide, with 51 arrest warrants in 34 provinces.'

The police boss said officers targetted 47 key groups, including arms dealers, hired gunmen, drug smugglers, corrupt politicians, loan sharks, illegal wildlife sellers, and illegal migrant workers.

There were also numerous criminal gangs including those in car theft, marine and coastal issues, as well as entertainment venues linked to drug smuggling and hiring illegal migrant workers.

Officials said they have arrested 90 suspects and seized numerous assets including 21 cars, 144 motorcycles, 12 firearms, 234 rounds of ammunition, 166 methamphetamine pills, 0.358 ounces (10.14 grams) of crystal meth, 37 loan shark bank accounts, and more than 150,000 loan ad pamphlets.