Pubdate: Sat, 11 Dec 2004 Source: Chiangmai Mail (Thailand) Copyright: 2004 Chiangmai Mail Contact: http://www.chiangmai-mail.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3105 Author: Saksit Meesubkwang DRUG SUPPRESSION AND PROPERTY CONFISCATION OPERATIONS IN THE NORTH The results of a two month operation of the 2nd War on Drugs in the eight Northern provinces were declared on November 4 at the Provincial Police Bureau Region 5. Commissioner of the Provincial Police Bureau Region 5, Pol Lt Gen Panupong Singhara Na Ayuthaya, and Provincial Police Chief of the eight Northern provinces presented a report at the press conference. Eleven suspects and 181,796 ya ba tablets, a 10 wheel truck, four pick-up trucks, two motorcycles, two AK-47s and 27 bullets, a shotgun and nine bullets, a grenade and 280,000 baht in cash were displayed as evidence. The names of four of the suspects were released. They are Daeng Meekam, 41, a Burmese Thai Yai; Kam Jailuang, 35, from Wiang Haeng district; Jawa Jakue, 50; and Jajoi Ja-or, 35 from Mae Taeng district. In this 2nd War on Drug, from October 4 to December 4, the eight northern provincial police divisions under the supervision of the Provincial Police Bureau Region 5 were able to arrest 1,334 drug dealers and users, confiscate 487,700 ya ba tablets, 22,450 grams of heroin, 3,500 grams of opium and 4600 grams of hashish, declared Pol Lt Gen Panupong. The police have confiscated 70 million baht from the culprits, eliminated 145 drug networks, and arrested 18 drug network supporters. In 175 cases, arrests were made following information given by previously arrested dealers and users, and 94 of the suspects already had arrest warrants issued against them. During the last two weeks of the operation, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provincial police arrested one dealer, confiscated 1,600 ya ba tablets, an AK-47, ammunition and grenades. During some arrests, the suspects fought back and seven died in the skirmishes. The country's biggest dealer, Jeerasak "Ar-Seu" Chatworaniti, was named at the press conference as the most wanted suspect in the region. It was reported that he changed his name and escaped to stay along the Thai-Burmese and Thai-Lao borders. He has a transportation company in a neighboring country. Many of the arrested dealers were found to belong to Jeerasak's networks and the police confiscated property and cash worth a total of 600 million baht from this network, said Pol Maj Gen Wutti Wittitanon, deputy commissioner of the Provincial Police Bureau Region 5. The Royal Thai Police is offering a 1 million baht reward for his arrest. However, Jeerasak is very influential in Myanmar as the Burmese soldiers had reported to the Thai police that people who wanted to inform the police and tried to catch him would be killed before they succeeded, said Pol Maj Gen Wutti. A reward of 5,000 baht has also been set for people who inform the police of any dealer's whereabouts and if the dealer is arrested, the reward will be doubled. People can inform the police at www.p5.police.go.th As the New Year Festival approaches, police will intensify their suppression of troublesome teenage gangs, who always cause violence and trouble during the festival, said Pol Lt Gen Panupong. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek