Pubdate: Sat, 20 Dec 2003
Source: Chiangmai Mail (Thailand)
Copyright: 2003 Chiangmai Mail
Contact:  http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3105
Authors: PRD, Chiang Mai and Natchawi Srirat
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

TWO MAJOR DRUG DEALERS KILLED CARRYING 800,000 YA BA PILLS

More Extra-Judicial Killings? Both on Police Blacklist

Hang Dong police report the extra-judicial killing of two major drugs 
suspects, while seizing 800,000 amphetamine tablets in Chiang Mai's Hang 
Dong district. Sombat Puang-ngern, 40 years old, together with Tee, his 
Chinese aide, were killed in the early hours of December 16 by the drug 
suppression police, during a drug bust about kilometer 32 on the Chiang 
Mai-Samoeng Road, in Tambon Ban Pong, Hang Dong district Chiang Mai 
province. Sombat and Tee were on the police blacklist of major drug 
dealers, and had been followed by undercover police.

Assistant Police Chief of the National Police Bureau, Pol. Lt. Gen 
Priaophan Damaphong led the investigation and his police inspected the 
crime scene, where they found a pick up truck and the bodies of the two 
suspects.

Both bodies were still holding 9 mm handguns, with both men dying from 
gunshot wounds. Inspection of the pickup truck driven by the suspects 
revealed a travel bag which contained 800,000 ya ba pills, hidden 
underneath the back seat. Assistant Police Chief Pol. Lt. Gen. Priaophan 
said that the ya ba pills found were still fresh, apparently just produced 
and smuggled over the border.

He also added that some of the drug barons have returned to the drug trade, 
but police already are keeping a close eye on them. "If they return to drug 
smuggling, we will suppress them immediately. At this time, all drug 
dealers are much more careful. Some of them are putting government 
organization stickers on their vehicles to try to avoid police interception 
and check point inspections. The police still have to follow up suspects 
who are still at large and on the blacklists," he added.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager