Pubdate: 4 Apr, 1999 Source: Scotland On Sunday (UK) Contact: THAILAND NARCOTICS SWEEP Nearly 900 people from the Thai civil service, armed forces and police have been placed on a narcotics blacklist that will be turned over to investigators. The blacklist is part of a government effort to halt the spread of drug-dealing among state employees. A Narcotics Control Board officer said the names of 871 state officials suspected of involvement in drugs would be handed over to police once further information was gathered. Thailand's efforts to eradicate narcotics trafficking are frequently praised by the international community but most of those apprehended are minor dealers. Thai anti-narcotics officials say that arresting the kingpins is extremely difficult since many are powerful politicians, businessmen and military officers. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea