Drastic action planned against drug-related Thai officials

BANGKOK, July 1 (TNA) - Thai police arrested over 100 state officials on drug-related charges in the first half of 2006, the head of the government narcotics control agency revealed on Friday.

The alleged complicity of many civil servants, military and police is eliciting strong reaction from drug suppression authorities, who met here Friday to consider what to do.

Government officials involved in drug trafficking would receive criminal sentences three times harsher than ordinary persons, the senior police drug enforcer said, and their assets would be seized.

The senior officer, Police Lt. Gen. Krisana Polanant, Secretary General of the state-run Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), said the decision was made at the meeting Friday of the narcotics agency board.

Severe punishment would be given out to state officials found to have been involved in drug trafficking, Pol. Lt. Gen. Krisana explained.

He said that more than 100 officials were apprehended on drug-related charges during the first half of this year, he said, but also indicated that "no government officials were found to be involved with major drug traders."

Other actions on the part of anti-narcotics enforcement officers would include regular searches in communities in 12 districts in Bangkok following complaints received that drug use and trade were rampant in the areas, including Klong Toey, Din Daeng, Thonburi, Pravet, Bang Ko Laem, Chatuchak, Chomthong, Phasi Charoen, Bueng Kum, Phra Khanong, Minburi and Yannawa, he said.

TNA