Pubdate: Sat, 09 Apr 2005
Source: Chiangmai Mail (Thailand)
Copyright: 2005 Chiangmai Mail
Contact:  http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3105
Author: Saksit Meesubkwang

NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD (ONCB) DISCUSSES WAYS TO PREVENT DRUGS IN NORTHERN
PROVINCES

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) held a seminar on system
management to prevent drug dealing within eight Northern provinces, at Lotus
Pang Suan Kaew Hotel on March 23. Almost 300 participants attended.

Pinyo Thongchai deputy secretary general of ONCB, said, "A system management
to prevent drug dealing depends on pursuing drug issues and receiving
information from residents. There are an estimated 10,000 drug dealers for
whom there are arrest warrants out but they have escaped from the country or
hide in different provinces. Some narcotic laws will be reformed to update
suppression in many different cases and for preventing escapes, as many drug
dealers are covering their activities by establishing a good public image,
helping society or with charitable activities. They are running legal
businesses but dealing in drugs in the back."

He added that the government's policy to suppress drugs during the last two
or three years had not only led to volumes of drugs being found, but also to
a number of deaths. Therefore, agents are transferring drugs with small
groups of people along the border of Burma and Laos. The small groups never
know the head drug dealer and cannot inform police even if they are arrested
provided they have avoided death in the inevitable shootouts. As making
arrests becomes more difficult, more police need to consult each other to
catch up with new methods of drug dealing.

Regrettably, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has not paid
much attention to agricultural products from north to central Thailand
transferred in large refrigerated trucks parking at Pathumthani Thai market.
However, ONCB has been concerned about this issue and is going to take
action soon. 
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MAP posted-by: Josh