Drug Cases Top Phuket Crime Stats Again

[george]

Drug cases top crime stats again

PHUKET: -- Drugs were yet again the main cause for arrests in Phuket in April, according to the latest Provincial Police crime statistics.

A total of 93 people were arrested for drug-related offenses between April 1 and April 30, compared with 81 arrests in March.

Possession of ya bah (methamphetamine) accounted for the largest number of arrests – 38 – in April, followed by marijuana possession, for which people 30 were arrested.

Of the remaining 25 drugs arrests, 20 were for substance abuse, three were for using krathom (a local plant that is a stimulant when ingested), one involved Ecstasy and one involved hashish.

Three murders were reported, with one arrest made in each of two cases. The remaining case is still under investigation.

Four attempted murders were reported, with no arrests made, as well as 26 cases of causing bodily harm, for which 14 arrests were made.

Two rapes were reported, with an arrest made in each case, while 24 people were arrested for prostitution.

There were 52 reported cases of theft, with 35 people arrested involving 28 incidents. Six of the thefts were snatch-and-run, with two people being charged in connection with four of the incidents.

A total of five motorcycles were reported stolen, with six arrests made in relation to four of the thefts. One car was reported stolen, with no arrest yet made.

--Phuket Gazette 2005-05-24