Thai Police Drug Busts Net Large Hauls Of 'Ice', Yaba

[webfact]

Police drug busts net large hauls of 'ice', yaba

Kwanhathai Malakan

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung yesterday announced two police drug busts that seized a total of 64.9 kilograms of crystal meth or "ice" and 40,000 yaba tablets worth Bt330 million.

In the first bust, police arrested four Malaysians and two Narathiwat residents allegedly along with 26kg of "ice", 25 grams of heroin and two sedans and one pickup truck.

The Malaysian suspects were Sahat Bin Kassim, 55, Abdul Rahim Bin Kassim, 45, Salawati binti Wagiyoh, 37, and Norzawati binti Ramli, 34. The two Thais were Yurisa Imeusa, 34, and Muhamad Nasusi Mayusoh, 31.

Following suspicions that Yurisa and her Malaysian husband Sahat Bin Kassim had transported and sold narcotics from Thailand to Malaysia, police officers allegedly watched the pair drive a pick-up truck from their home in Songkhla's Hat Yai district to meet with Muhamad and Norzawati binti Ramli near the Winstar Hotel in Hat Yai. The couple handed over the pickup truck to Muhamad then drove home in a sedan, whose rear light compartments were modified to hide drugs. Police said when Abdul Rahim Bin Kassim and Salawati binti Wagiyoh removed the 26kg of "ice", they were arrested. A search also found heroin, Bt5.704 million in cash, and 773,290 MYR cash in the house.

In the second drug bust, police arrested hill-tribal man Suthat Suayyeh, 24 and Mae Hong Son resident Bundit Hathaiworakan, 23, along with 40,000 yaba tablets and 38.9 kilograms of "ice". Police followed Suthat, who had no job but had money to cover expenses and afford many rooms, from his condominium in Bangkok's Soi Nawamin 123 until they found him making a delivery to Bundit. Police subsequently seized 20,000 yaba tablets from Bundit, while the other police team allegedly found 20,000 yaba tablets and 38.9kgs of "ice" in Suthat's condominium room.

As police made more drug suspect arrests, dealers would kill each other to prevent implication, Chalerm said, claiming that police these days were not involved in drug trafficking, or they would face severe punishment.

He also urged police to check on night entertainment venues for drug dealing activities and close those refusing to co-operate with police.

Chalerm also commented on the attempt to arrest Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) leader Maj-General Saw Lah Pwe, also known as Na Kham Mwe (Mr Moustache), who was on Thailand’s list of 25 most-wanted suspect drug dealers.

He said it was a good sign that Myanmar authorities had ask for evidence and information about the case from their Thai counterparts. The DKBA leader no longer dared to produce yaba, which was a good thing, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-05-17

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65 kg of ice seized in two cases

BANGKOK, May 17 -- Eight drug suspects, including members of a Malaysian transnational drug ring, were arrested with about 65 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, also known as 'ice, were confiscated in two separate cases, according to Thai police.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubumrung on Wednesday chaired a news briefing at the Royal Thai Police headquarters about the two arrests and illicit drug seizures following the drug sweeping operations by officials of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board and police of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau.

A combined force of drugs police and the narcotics control board apprehended six Malaysians suspected of being part of a Malaysian transnational drug syndicate. The suspects detained at a house in Hat Yai include Abdul Rahim Bin Kassim, Sahat Bin Kassim, Salawati Binti Wagiyoh, Norzawati Binti Ramli and two other Malaysian men.

Twenty six kilos of crystal meth, 22 grammes of heroin, Bt 5 million in cash, Malaysian ringgit cash equivalent to about 770,000 baht and other assets were impounded in the arrest.

Earlier, Malaysian authorities coordinated with Thai officials to monitor the moves of the drug ring, police said. The detention came after the police learned that the syndicate arranged an appointment to check the illicit drugs at the place in Hat Yai.

The Malaysians entered southern Thailand to smuggle the drugs, sent from northern Thailand, to sell to their customers in Malaysia.

Responding to the drug seizure, the police planned further arrests of suspects related to the case.

In another drug case, Sutat Suay-ye and Bundit Hathaiworakarn were nabbed with 38.9 kg of ice and 40,000 methamphetamine pills.

Initial investigation showed that Mr Bundit hired Mr Sutat for Bt100,000-150,000 each time to pick up and deliver the drugs.

From Sept 11, 2011 through May 15, the Thai authorities handled 244,000 drug cases with 235,000 suspects and assets valued at some Bt1 billion, police said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-05-17

[Yunla]

Sincere thankyou to the police for taking this murderous poison off the streets.

[TomTao]

Good to see some real law enforcement happening, the report even gave some details of the surveylance operation that led to the arrest of the Malaysians and their Thai counterparts, now if they could just catch the big bosses. Chalerm says the police are no longer dealing in drugs for fear of severe punishment??????

[EyesWideOpen]

Chalerm said, claiming that police these days were not involved in drug trafficking, or they would face severe punishment.

Great stuff , I love this place !!! This is a bit like the Bangkok police saying there are no gambling dens, but it there were, the police were going to find them. I guess with the police masterminding of the cash truck robbery last week, every time there is a crime involving a lot of money, at the end of a public statement about the crime, there will have to be a rejoinder " and the police were not involved".....

[MILT]

Glad to hear that these poisons are off the street.

[newermonkey]

I truly hope they all get the death sentence, and the authorities publicize the event.

Why does the Thai government not put up signs everywhere warning people that drug dealers WILL get the death sentence? as in other countries or do the police enjoy the current situation in some way?

[ivan96822]

Off the to the big house for a very risky, dangerous shot at making easy money fast.

[kiniyow]

Always seems to be the Lure for Fast Easy Money not thinking to much about the lives they ruin....

[garrya]

Well done and carry on doing it.

[COXYATCITY]

Good to see some real law enforcement happening, the report even gave some details of the surveylance operation that led to the arrest of the Malaysians and their Thai counterparts, now if they could just catch the big bosses. Chalerm says the police are no longer dealing in drugs for fear of severe punishment??????

get the sack

[freedom4life]

Interested in knowing where the money and drugs go after they show and tell....even before they show and tell. The drugs may be dirty, but that money is clean....everybody turn around for a bit, while a couple bundles of money slip by, please....

[Jessi]

As police made more drug suspect arrests, dealers would kill each other to prevent implication, Chalerm said, claiming that police these days were not involved in drug trafficking, or they would face severe punishment.

The best money can buy.

[Bakseedaa]

Glad to hear that these poisons are off the street.

Have you tried those things..?

[mrfill]

Always seems to be the Lure for Fast Easy Money not thinking to much about the lives they ruin....

The same can be said for the brewers and cigarette makers of the world.... They have ruined many many more lives but are welcomed and encouraged. Funny old world.

[MEL1]

"In the first bust, police arrested four Malaysians and two Narathiwat residents allegedly along with 26kg of "ice", 25 grams of heroin and two sedans and one pickup truck."

They arrested 26kg of ice, 25g of heroin, two sedans and one pick up truck?

Next they'll be arresting subordinate lamposts...

Nicely worded, yet again....

-mel.

[ripstanley]

The seizure is only the tip of the iceberg. Much more still readily available. Police need to do more

[Nigel1500]

Great job Royal Thai Police !!!

[noitom]

Two very preposterous claims:

1. Police "these days" were not involved in drug trafficking or else they would be severely punished.

2. The existence of a top 25 wanted drug dealer list

[rakman]

Let see how this stacks up for prices:

64.9 kg of "Ice" at 3.16 million Baht/kg = 205.08 million Baht

40,000 yaba tablets at ~247 Baht per tablet = 7.88 million baht

But wait, they found 26 kg of ice at one place, found 38.9 kg on the guy and 38.9 kg in his condo. That would be 103.8 kg of "Ice" at 3.16 million Baht per kg = 328 million baht. So the numbers somewhat agree.

[Payboy]

He said it was a good sign that Myanmar authorities had ask for evidence and information about the case from their Thai counterparts.

It may be a "good sign" for Chalerm, but it's normal process for most countries before they handover their citizens for prosecution in other countries.