Arrests Follow Tough Drug Policy Response: Thailand

[webfact]

Arrests follow tough drug policy response

By The Nation

Following the new government's gettough antidrug policy, police have seized a large amount of illegal narcotics and arrested a number of suspects in the latest crackdowns.

In Chiang Rai's Mae Sai district, police and soldiers arrested Weera Kunjaethong and allegedly found 80,000 amphetamine tablets in his possession in a stakeout over the weekend. Polioce said the tablets were in 40 packets ready for transport to the South. Police claimed the suspect admitted to being paid Bt350,000 to courier the tablets in each run.

Police said they had obtained evidence against an agent found involved with Weera, whom they identified merely as Huang, and seized a truck based in Phichit owned by this man.

The seizure was showcased at a press conference presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung and acting police chief Pol General Priewpan Damapong. Chalerm said seizures of drugassets had amounted to around Bt100 million since the Yingluck government took power.

In Bangkok, Din Daeng police searched the home of a couple and allegedly found drugs and a handgun in a raid, which failed turn up a muchwanted suspect in a slum in Ratchathewi district. The couple, Chaiwat Jatuthipphoosin and Natthawadee Srijakkhote, admitted to possessing the drugs with intent to sell.

Chaiwat is a repeat offender and recently served a sentence, police said while Natthawadee admitted to using the drugs but denied helping him deal drugs. Police dismissed the excuse, citing a large amount of cash circulating in and out of her bank account. Chaiwat later confessed to buying ice flakes at Bt1,500 per gram from an agent known as Moo based in Rangsit area, and selling it to teenage users in Huay Khwang area for Bt1,700 a gram.

Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri yesterday received thanks from the Central Islamic Council of Thailand, over the ministry's antidrug policy and rehabilitation programme, using religious bonding to attract young drug users. The methods used are based on sport, recreational activities, and skill training, apart from faith in Islam.

-- The Nation 2011-09-26

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Drug suspects arrested in three cases as government crackdown continues

CHIANG RAI -- Police arrested a suspected member of a major drug network in the North, two suspected drug traffickers in the capital and a suspected drug smuggler in Phuket.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung and Acting national police chief Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong informed a news conference on Sunday of the arrest of a drug suspect, Weera Kunchaethong and seizure of 80,000 pills of methamphetamine.

The drug was seized from cabbage baskets in a pick-up truck in Mae Sae in the northern province of Chiang Rai, 200 metres from Thai-Myanmar border while Mr Veera was transporting it to a small-scale dealer.

After the arrest, police investigated further and seized another 60 million baht in assets. The deputy prime minister ordered the Mae Sai border checkpoint to tighten inspections on people crossing the border to prevent the possible influx of illegal drugs.

In the capital, the Metropolitan Police Division 1 investigated five urban communities in Huay Kwang, Din Daeng. The police arrested Chaiwat Jatupusin and his girlfriend at a house in the Sutthisan area and confiscated 1,400 pills of methamphetamine, 90 pills of crystal methamphetamine, 51 pills of ecstasy, 90 pills of Erimin 5, one handgun and ammunition as well as 74,000 baht in cash. Several small-scale drug users were also rounded up during the operations.

Meanwhile, a Nepalese priest was arrested at Phuket International Airport for smuggling 8-kg marijuana, worth about Bt800,000.

The suspect, Hise Chhiring Tamang, flew in to this southern island province from India after a transit in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur. The man had entered Thailand for the fifth time according to his passport record. The previous times he entered the kingdom were through Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

He was sent to officials for further questioning and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and cross-border drug smuggling. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-09-26

[edgarfriendly]

8-kg marijuana, worth about Bt800,000???

If 1kg is 'worth' between 8,000 and 20,000 how can 8kg be worth 'about' 800,000???

100,000 per kg!!! Who would/could pay that??

simple typo? or absolute fabrication?

maybe if we calculate the african nana area price of 200 bt per bag of dusty oregano looking herb we could skyrocket the price up to 100,000 bt per kilo....

edit - AND FROM MALAYSIA??? <deleted>!!

Edited September 26, 2011 by edgarfriendly

[Bakseedaa]

I went passed Sukomvik Soi 3 on the weekend, I was offered drugs 3 times in 20 metres... I am 56 yrs old and not really someone who looks like a typical customer.. ( I think) The guys trying to sell drugs to me were very obvious as their skin is not the same colour as mine.. I am white guy... So much for the crackdown on drugs... Someone somewhere in a position to allow this business to continue, is making too much moneys.. I do not think the "New" Police chief has put his stamp on Lumpini Police Station yet, but I did notice the new Mercedes 500 parked there , has dissapeared in the last week.. the one with the policemans hat on the rear parcel shelf....

[slapout]

First consider who called for the news conference to reveal how well they themselves are doing their job. Then consider the reward payments to officials for their efforts (based on value of product). Wonder what was involved in the seizure of 60 mil.ion in assets? As mentioned, Bangkok police could arrest more street dealers in a block area and Chalerm is proud of 3 arrests from the extreme south to the north of the country.

The whole bunch of misfits must be double jointed, to facilitate their patting themselves on the back.

[chinook]

8-kg marijuana, worth about Bt800,000???

If 1kg is 'worth' between 8,000 and 20,000 how can 8kg be worth 'about' 800,000???

100,000 per kg!!! Who would/could pay that??

simple typo? or absolute fabrication?

maybe if we calculate the african nana area price of 200 bt per bag of dusty oregano looking herb we could skyrocket the price up to 100,000 bt per kilo....

edit - AND FROM MALAYSIA??? <deleted>!!

It’s quality Nepalese hashish, not weed. 100 baht per g sounds about right.

[Nisa]

Police claimed the suspect admitted to being paid Bt350,000 to courier the tablets in each run

Sounds like a bit much to be paying a driver.

[kamluan]

this is ofr now...some crackdowns...showing that they are doing something...then after a while ..everything the same as always..

if the thai gouverment want to change this ....there would be only one solution.

Fire all police man and put real trained police men ,if nessesary from outside thailand, just to teach the thai police how it really works.

Also eliminate all traffic police guys if they want to be a ticket police officer, ok can be but not whit a police status and carriyng a gun...

i think not even the children of my children will ever see change thailand as long they use these old,useless laws.

[Chris Lawrence]

I went passed Sukomvik Soi 3 on the weekend, I was offered drugs 3 times in 20 metres... I am 56 yrs old and not really someone who looks like a typical customer.. ( I think) The guys trying to sell drugs to me were very obvious as their skin is not the same colour as mine.. I am white guy... So much for the crackdown on drugs... Someone somewhere in a position to allow this business to continue, is making too much moneys.. I do not think the "New" Police chief has put his stamp on Lumpini Police Station yet, but I did notice the new Mercedes 500 parked there , has dissapeared in the last week.. the one with the policemans hat on the rear parcel shelf....

The blue one's are Viagra ?

[OzMick]

Chalerm's big crackdown on drugs - 4, count them, 4 dealers arrested. Wait a minute, one guy was busted by customs.

3 drug dealers arrested today!

Funny how things have gone quiet on the gambling dens though - must have shut them all down.