Pubdate: Wed, 30 Jun 1999
Source: Associated Press
Copyright: 1999 Associated Press
Author: Jessie Seyfer, Associated Press Writer

FORMER THAI PARLIAMENT MEMBER CONVICTED FOR CONSPIRACY TO SMUGGLE DRUGS

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A onetime member of Thailand's Parliament
pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring to smuggle marijuana into the
United States.

Thanong Siriprechapong, who had spent 3 1/2 years in federal prison,
was given credit for time served and released to immigration agents
for deportation.

His family had already booked an early Wednesday flight for him to
return to his native country.

U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn R. Walker dropped all other charges
against Thanong. The nearly decade-long case was fraught with delays
brought on by negotiations between the United States and Thailand, and
by an investigation into the possibility of mistakes by
prosecutors.

On hearing the judge's decision, Thanong, 47, smiled and hugged his
lawyers and interpreter.

"I have no hesitancy accepting your plea because the evidence would
indicate that you are guilty," Judge Walker said. "I think you have
been the victim of some very unfortunate circumstances."

Thanong's attorneys expressed satisfaction and relief.

"At least now he gets to go home," attorney Bill Osterhoudt said. "He
suffered hugely by his incarceration. The judge recognized that his
rights had been violated."

Federal prosecutor Sandy Teters said she could offer no
comment.

In 1991, the former parliamentarian was indicted for smuggling four
tons of marijuana into the United States, for conspiring to smuggle in
15 more tons and for leading a crime organization that smuggled
marijuana aboard freight ships between 1973 and 1987.

Thanong's extradition to the United States required long negotiations
with the Thai government, which agreed to release him in 1996. Thanong
is the first Thai citizen ever to be extradited to the United States.
He was a member of the Thai Parliament from 1983 to 1986 and from 1992
to 1994.

Questions surrounding the prosecution's possible mishandling of the
case arose last year when it was revealed that the customs agent
responsible for indicting Thanong had taken $4,000 in kickbacks from
an informant. The agent was the sole grand jury witness against
Thanong at his grand jury indictment, and the kickbacks put his
credibility into question.

A hearing that will look into possible mistakes by prosecutors in the
case is set for July 14 in Walker's court.

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