Army Tightens Drug Smuggling Controls On Northern Border

[george]

Army tightens drug smuggling controls on northern border

CHIANG MAI: -- Thailand's Third Army Region has tightened border security to control drug flows along the northern border as a spread of narcotic drugs shows sign of rising, Third Army Area commander Lt-Gen. Chiradet Kocharat said on Thursday.

Gen Chiradet, meeting with drug-related agencies in the northern province of Chiang Mai to assess the spread of drugs in the region, said that the cross-border smuggling of drugs, especially methamphetamines, remains prevalent in all forms and shows little sign of declining. He stressed that all agencies concerned need to respond it with stricter measures.

Since mid-year, according to Kitti Limchaikit, Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, there have been many indicators suggesting that the spread of drugs has been on the rise.

Statistics outlining the number arrests and drug users shows the present drug situation needs an urgent response in terms of both prevention and suppression, he said.

Apart from methamphetamines, the ONCB chief said, the spread of opium, heroin, and other forms of narcotics is likely to grow as well. Most importantly, he said, more and more youths have become involved in drug trafficking.

Many minors who become drug users themselves to drug dealing, in part to support their expensive addiction, and the attractiveness of making more money than in honest employment, Mr Kitti said. Also, because older low-level drug dealers have been arrested by the authorities, there is room for new workers in the illicit business.

--TNA 2006-11-30

[importford]

Seems like Thaksin is preparing already his defence in the possible case against him concerning the war on drugs.

clever guy!!!