Crackdown on narcotics and other illicit drugs continues in Thailand

[webfact]

Drug eradication efforts continue nationwide

BANGKOK, 20 June 2014 (NNT) - Security forces in various parts of Thailand continue their mission to crackdown on narcotics and other illicit drugs.

Customs officials have arrested an Indian woman at the Suvarnabhumi Airport and confiscated five kilograms of ketamine valued at 15 million baht.

The woman confessed that she had been hired by a dark-skinned man back in Shennai, India, to deliver the drugs for $1,000, which is equivalent 30,000 baht.

In Surat Thani Province, marine police have joined forces with provincial police to bust a drug trafficking network.

The law enforcement officers have conducted a successful sting operation to arrest two suspects and seized at least 76,000 pills of amphetamine. Both men confessed that they have been smuggling the drugs from the North in order to sell it in Surat Thani and its neighboring provinces.

Off to the West in Tak Province, soldiers from the 4th Infantry Regiment in Mae Sot District along with Customs officials at the Mae Sot checkpoint have confiscated at least 78,000 pills of amphetamine.

The drugs were found in a suitcase that was left abandoned at a bus terminal in Tak Province.

Meanwhile, the Border Patrol Police Region 23 along with a team of Army rangers have confiscated 198 compressed blocks of marijuana weighing at 198 kilograms, all valued at least 5 million baht.

-- NNT 2014-06-20

[hyperdimension]

If the NCPO's mission is to bring happiness to the people, these seizures don't help (unless the seized items are released back into the market). That 198kg of cannabis would bring a lot of stress relief to many people.

[Travel2003]

Just be careful so we don't end up with a Thaksin style of "war on drugs".

[Crazy chef 1]

i think she wanted to deliver it to a vet-pure animal love.

[coma]

"The woman confessed that she had been hired by a dark-skinned man back in Shennai, India"

Could she narrow it down a bit more ?

[marsstar14]

Just be careful so we don't end up with a Thaksin style of "war on drugs".

Not to worry, the NCPO would never repeat the same mistake as that fugitive criminal on-the-run. The real reason behind Thaksin's war on drugs was because his only son Oak Panthongtae had abused drugs back in college. Thaksin then started hating anybody who was found to be involved in drugs because it messed up his son's life.

Over 2,500 people have died from his war on drugs and more than half of the victims were innocent. Thaksin implicated anybody who were suspected to be involved with drugs without having sufficient evidence to convict them. I am sure that the NCPO's reasons are clearly different from those of Thaksin's.

[Cthulhu]

"The woman confessed that she had been hired by a dark-skinned man back in Shennai, India"

Could she narrow it down a bit more ?

They'll soon catch him then!

[jackinthebox]

>....and confiscated five kilograms of ketamine valued at 15 million baht.

That would be a "street-price" of 3000 Baht per gram? Is it really sold that expensive?

[1plumber]

dark skin? right got it. dark eyes and black hair? got it. Ya say he had an Indian accent? yes m'am. just the facts m'am Well it seems our man is at it again.

Edited June 20, 2014 by 1plumber

[Deaw]

That 198kg of cannabis would bring a lot of stress relief to many people.

Hard to believe that lightweight plant is still illegal here - or anywhere for that matter.

Sangsom with coke, then beat up the wife and cause auto crashes? Good!

A little weed which makes people more mellow and never harms anyone? Bad!

[silent]

"The woman confessed that she had been hired by a dark-skinned man back in Shennai, India"

Could she narrow it down a bit more ?

Better than looking for a short fat bald man about 6 feet tall,slender build and black hair.

Edited June 20, 2014 by silent

[Bangmod]

That 198kg of cannabis would bring a lot of stress relief to many people.

Hard to believe that lightweight plant is still illegal here - or anywhere for that matter.

Sangsom with coke, then beat up the wife and cause auto crashes? Good!

A little weed which makes people more mellow and never harms anyone? Bad!

Sangsom with coke, then beat up the wife and cause auto crashes?

Is that what your weekend looks like?? have fun....

They should be tough on drugs, especially with the foreigners.

[fab4]

Just be careful so we don't end up with a Thaksin style of "war on drugs".

Not to worry, the NCPO would never repeat the same mistake as that fugitive criminal on-the-run. The real reason behind Thaksin's war on drugs was because his only son Oak Panthongtae had abused drugs back in college. Thaksin then started hating anybody who was found to be involved in drugs because it messed up his son's life.

Over 2,500 people have died from his war on drugs and more than half of the victims were innocent. Thaksin implicated anybody who were suspected to be involved with drugs without having sufficient evidence to convict them. I am sure that the NCPO's reasons are clearly different from those of Thaksin's.

I don't think it's possible to be more wrong.

[mojorison]

Just be careful so we don't end up with a Thaksin style of "war on drugs".

Not to worry, the NCPO would never repeat the same mistake as that fugitive criminal on-the-run. The real reason behind Thaksin's war on drugs was because his only son Oak Panthongtae had abused drugs back in college. Thaksin then started hating anybody who was found to be involved in drugs because it messed up his son's life.

Over 2,500 people have died from his war on drugs and more than half of the victims were innocent. Thaksin implicated anybody who were suspected to be involved with drugs without having sufficient evidence to convict them. I am sure that the NCPO's reasons are clearly different from those of Thaksin's.

Seems like a good reason to not like dealers. No one is "innocent", cept the little biddy baby jesus my friend... and at the end of the day, this will be as arbitrary as Thaksin' s (conspiracy) to commit "war on drugs".... You will see.

[Searat7]

So many people get involved in drug trafficking here that I wonder if the penalties are high enough. If someone is going to risk spending 10 years in jail they might think twice about being a drug courier.

[mojorison]

So many people get involved in drug trafficking here that I wonder if the penalties are high enough. If someone is going to risk spending 10 years in jail they might think twice about being a drug courier.

They don't always know the risks, or are coerced into it. Sometimes the alternatives are so dire, the risks don't matter. (Other times they are simply greedy and stupid...)

[weiwei55]

It would be easier if they just executed every drug user and seller on the spot (in the street). we would be rid of many unwanted "tourists" and other people.

[Guitar God]

And execute anyone who has over the legal limit of alcohol in their system too right? Rules are rules.

[ParadiseLost]

It would be easier if they just executed every drug user and seller on the spot (in the street). we would be rid of many unwanted "tourists" and other people.

Let's start with alcohol then, seeing it is the number one killer and destroyer of families. Then tobacco, followed by coffee, then we can start on the pharma 'licensed' drugs - how many people do you know who have never taken a tablet in their lives? How many kids are on meds for ADD, or other such excuses of afflictions?

Some people are capable of handling their habits, without becoming drug addicts. Addicts are usually weak, in need of support - not incarceration. I would go so far as to say it is more of a disability - do you propose killing disabled people too?

For those with a more enlightened view, big change has already started - after gay marriage, the next whirlwind will be pot legalisation in the good ol' USA; the country that demonised it in the first place.

You should really look at ways to improve your own life, and those around you - simply keeping your opinion to yourself would be a good start.

[mojorison]

It would be easier if they just executed every drug user and seller on the spot (in the street). we would be rid of many unwanted "tourists" and other people.

Let's start with alcohol then, seeing it is the number one killer and destroyer of families. Then tobacco, followed by coffee, then we can start on the pharma 'licensed' drugs - how many people do you know who have never taken a tablet in their lives? How many kids are on meds for ADD, or other such excuses of afflictions?

Some people are capable of handling their habits, without becoming drug addicts. Addicts are usually weak, in need of support - not incarceration. I would go so far as to say it is more of a disability - do you propose killing disabled people too?

For those with a more enlightened view, big change has already started - after gay marriage, the next whirlwind will be pot legalisation in the good ol' USA; the country that demonised it in the first place.

You should really look at ways to improve your own life, and those around you - simply keeping your opinion to yourself would be a good start.

Stopped reading after "ADD an excuse of affliction blah blah blah..." . You clearly know nothing about medicine and disease.

[Mudcrab]

That 198kg of cannabis would bring a lot of stress relief to many people.

Hard to believe that lightweight plant is still illegal here - or anywhere for that matter.

Sangsom with coke, then beat up the wife and cause auto crashes? Good!

A little weed which makes people more mellow and never harms anyone? Bad!

Never used to be...thank a certain country's foreign policy for this disaster

[Mudcrab]

Just be careful so we don't end up with a Thaksin style of "war on drugs".

Not to worry, the NCPO would never repeat the same mistake as that fugitive criminal on-the-run. The real reason behind Thaksin's war on drugs was because his only son Oak Panthongtae had abused drugs back in college. Thaksin then started hating anybody who was found to be involved in drugs because it messed up his son's life.

Over 2,500 people have died from his war on drugs and more than half of the victims were innocent. Thaksin implicated anybody who were suspected to be involved with drugs without having sufficient evidence to convict them. I am sure that the NCPO's reasons are clearly different from those of Thaksin's.

I don't think it's possible to be more wrong.

Agreed. It was closer to 6,000 wasn't it? And Chalerm proudly announced he could produce more corpses on demand from the Boss

Edited June 20, 2014 by Mudcrab

[ParadiseLost]

It would be easier if they just executed every drug user and seller on the spot (in the street). we would be rid of many unwanted "tourists" and other people.

Let's start with alcohol then, seeing it is the number one killer and destroyer of families. Then tobacco, followed by coffee, then we can start on the pharma 'licensed' drugs - how many people do you know who have never taken a tablet in their lives? How many kids are on meds for ADD, or other such excuses of afflictions?

Some people are capable of handling their habits, without becoming drug addicts. Addicts are usually weak, in need of support - not incarceration. I would go so far as to say it is more of a disability - do you propose killing disabled people too?

For those with a more enlightened view, big change has already started - after gay marriage, the next whirlwind will be pot legalisation in the good ol' USA; the country that demonised it in the first place.

You should really look at ways to improve your own life, and those around you - simply keeping your opinion to yourself would be a good start.

Stopped reading after "ADD an excuse of affliction blah blah blah..." . You clearly know nothing about medicine and disease.

I was never claiming to be an expert - my only input comes through my school career, where there never was such a thing as ADD (it had not been invented yet) and none of my classmates were on a cocktail of uppers, downers and wake-me-up drugs.

Certainly there were the usual dunces who never paid attention, and maybe I was even one of them - if only I had discovered drugs then!

The past 50 years has seen an enormous waste of lives and money trying to fight the drug war. Not one bit of it has been a success, isn't it time to try a more sensible approach? In my mind that should include looking at pharma drugs immediately as that's where most addicts are.

[Colabamumbai]

Marijuana is a weed put on this earth by God, Buddha and Bob Marley.

[stickylies]

the origin of drug trade in thailand lies for 90% in the hands of the army, the longtime ally of kachin and shan state KMT. once they made enough money with it and the dangers of the CPB/CPT was cleared they changed sides and accepted the easy money from the DEA*. ignorance is a bliss.

* note that the americans originally supported the KMT drug lords with cash and even military support (weapons, provisions, etc). they always do when there is something in it for them, ie. supporting resistance against the communists.

Edited June 20, 2014 by stickylies

[mickjn]

Crazy chef 1, on 19 Jun 2014 - 22:49, said:

i think she wanted to deliver it to a vet-pure animal love.

I had a bit of a giggle when I read it too

[myluckythai]

As long as Birma is not in with this aproach it is futile..... As most Yaba comes from there. 76000pills sounds nice but is merely the tip of a huge iceberg

[Pattaya46]

After the crackdown on these drugs,

I hope they will work on a crackdown on illegal smoking.

So many farangs not respecting the no-smoking law in touristic areas...

[Gutterboy]

That 198kg of cannabis would bring a lot of stress relief to many people.

Hard to believe that lightweight plant is still illegal here - or anywhere for that matter.

Sangsom with coke, then beat up the wife and cause auto crashes? Good!

A little weed which makes people more mellow and never harms anyone? Bad!

Sangsom with coke, then beat up the wife and cause auto crashes?

Is that what your weekend looks like?? have fun....

They should be tough on drugs, especially with the foreigners.

Why? Why? And why?!!

Deaw makes a very good point which you have clearly missed. Marijuana is harmless, alcohol is extremely damaging. And why on earth should "they" be tougher on foreigners. Explain yourself, please.

[surangw]

continues ? was it put on hold for a while ?