Thailand gathers proof on FARC arms deal

BANGKOK, March 12 (UPI) -- Thai authorities are gathering evidence in relation to allegations that a Russian arms dealer attempted to smuggle weapons to Colombian rebels.

Viktor Bout was arrested in Bangkok last week after meeting with people he thought were two members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, the Bangkok Post reported Wednesday.

In reality, the men posing as FARC members seeking missiles and other weaponry were undercover agents, local authorities said.

The FARC has made international headlines of late with the death of one of their top leaders Raul Reyes, who was killed by Colombian forces in Ecuadorian territory.

The raid without Ecuador's prior consent set off a diplomatic firestorm that prompted Ecuador and Venezuela to cut ties with Bogota and mobilize their armies to their respective borders with Colombia.