Pubdate: Wed, 26 Mar 2003
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)
Copyright: 2003 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Contact:  http://www.abc.net.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/34

THAI MILITARY OFFICERS IMPLICATED IN DRUG CRIMES

The Thai government says 95 military officers have been implicated in drug 
trafficking since an anti-drug campaign was launched in early February.

Defence minister Thammarak Issarangkun Na Ayutthaya says 17 of the 95 have 
been arrested and the remainder are still under investigation.

Mr Thammarak says of those arrested, six have been sacked, seven suspended 
and the rest face disciplinary action from the ministry.

More than 900 government officials have also been implicated in drug 
trafficking since Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra declared a three-month 
war on drugs on February 1.

Police say the crackdown has led to the deaths of about 2,000 people.

Police have admitted to killing 42 people in self-defence, and have blamed 
the rest of the murders on drug dealers turning on each other.
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