Police Chief Announces New Crackdown on Drugs, Gambling

[Admin]

Police Chief Announces New Crackdown on Drugs, Gambling
-Tan Network 2010-12-21

The national police chief has announced a new anti drug offensive that includes extreme punishment being handed out to officers found to be colluding with drug trafficking rings or gambling machine operators.

National Police Chief, Police General Wichien Pojphosri held a meeting with senior officers, and is urging them to step up efforts to combat crime, drugs and gambling around the country.

Wichen said the Royal Thai Police have a clear approach to cracking down on gambling machines and drugs.

He noted that officers who are derelict in their duties may be subject to minor punishments, while those found guilty of working with or taking bribes from perpetrators will be severely disciplined and will face criminal charges.

The police chief added that these punishments also apply to their superiors.

Wichien said more checkpoints will be erected nationwide in January.

Meanwhile, he said the investigation regarding complaints about officers who are stationed at the Klongton and Wat Phreayakrai police stations and have been accused of conspiring with drug gangs is still ongoing.

Wichien added that all police departments will work in a more integrated manner to stop armed violence.

The commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, Police Lieutenant General Atithep Panjamanond is expected to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban to report on the conclusions of meeting.

When asked whether some police officers could exploit the campaign by incriminating fellow officers in the hopes of gaining an advantage in police transfers, Wichien responded by saying that there is nothing to fear if they are carrying out their duties in earnest.

[Admin]

More than 1,000 arrested in raids
By The Nation
2010-12-24

Huge quantity of drugs and weapons seized in simultaneous crackdowns

Bangkok police yesterday made multiple arrests and seized a large volume of narcotics in several simultaneous raids yesterday, the start of the month's deadline the government has given the police force to crackdown on drug traffickers.

Some 696 people were arrested as part of raids in Bangkok's Phra Nakhon and Thon Buri areas, while another 439 people were netted in 58 raids in Pathum Thani. Many of the suspects were part of the blacklists of both police and anti-narcotics agencies.

The raids targeted mostly slums and communities inhabited by low-income earners, and turned up a large number of handguns and an M-16 assault rifle, machetes and other arms, many stolen motorcycles and cares, and other illegal items.

Among the key suspects arrested were Surachai Tohuapa and Usa Sawang-arom, who were caught in possession of 30,000 amphetamine tablets and 4 kilograms of "ice" flakes, as well as Suthep Bunkrajang and Amor Thanoosa, who were arrested in separate raids. Many of the suspects are also wanted for other crimes ranging from murder and rape to trivial offences.

The government gave the police one month, starting from yesterday, to crack down on the drug trade in Thailand, under strict orders that extra judicial measures only be used if the suspects resist arrest or are violent.

The Interior Ministry has launched an anti-narcotics operation to tackle drug abuse during the festive season, by mobilising more policemen, conducting extra searches and setting up checkpoints at main roads across the country to control the transport of drugs.

Police and military officers along the border area have also been alerted to watch out for drug smugglers, said Chachoensao provincial governor Suraphol Phongthadsirikul, who is leading the ministry's operation.

Meanwhile, betting shops in many provinces have temporarily closed down after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva vowed to tackle the problem after he received reports that many Internet cafes in Thailand were showing live broadcasts of casinos in Cambodia's Poi Pet to encourage gambling.

Around 30 shops in Ubon Thani have closed, especially those that have a sticker reading "T-G-TK" - a signal that they have the police in their pay. The stickers have reportedly been removed to cut down the chances of them becoming targets allegedly at the suggestion of local police.

Many shops in Chaiyaphum have also closed down, while most Internet cafes are being strict with their closing hours. A source in Khon Kaen said there were more than 80 Internet cafe still broadcasting live shots of gambling in Cambodian casinos. Abhisit said the cyber crime laws would be enforced carefully so it does not violate privacy or civil rights of innocent operators or the general public.

[boloa]

In our Village the Local Gambling den pays the Police 300 baht a day not to get busted,same a the Illegal lottery ticket sellers pay off the police.I assume the crack down is for those that don't pay a bribe  !!

[Admin]

City police take aim at drug traffickers
Gangs of dealers have been targeted as a menace to society
Published: 3/01/2011 at 12:00 AM
Bangkok Post: Newspaper section: News

City police are targeting drug trafficking in their drive against crime this year.

Police want to tackle trafficking as their first priority because it is linked to many other crimes, especially robberies, said Pol Lt Gen Jakthip Chaijinda, the Metropolitan Police Bureau chief.

The number of attacks mounted by drug gangs against police is also on the increase.

"If they fire at police, officers will have to defend themselves by shooting back," he said.

"I've told police to get tough with them. Many people have been hurt by drug gangs."

Figures show that more than 60% of the guilty in robbery cases are drug users or those involved in the drug trade. This finding was enough to persuade police to turn their attention to traffickers.

See also: Suthep: Suppression still the key
City police launched a crackdown on drugs last year. There should be a gradual reduction in the number of robberies this year if the mission was successful, Pol Lt Gen Jakthip said.

Police will need more training in how to tackle such criminals. They also need to bone up on recent skirmishes between police and drug gangs, so they know how to respond.

Recent actions include an armed assault on police last month by the Tha-it drug gang in Nonthaburi's Muang district, and a clash days earlier with the influential Paikiew drug ring in Ayutthaya's Bang Pa-in district. Suspected drug traffickers Charnchai Prasongsil, alias Joke Paikiew, and his younger brother Noppon, known as Jib, were linked to the Ayutthaya ring.

The pair were accused of involvement in a fatal drive-by shooting in Ayutthaya on Dec 4 which resulted in the death of 12-year-old Phokin "Nong Tomee" Deephiu.

Police shot Charnchai dead in a raid on his apartment in Bang Pa-in on Dec11.

Members of the Tha-it gang, a drug network based in tambon Tha-it in Bang Bua Thong district, opened fire on a group of plainclothes police in Nonthaburi on Dec 15, wounding two officers.

"I have to admit it is scary when drug gangs decide to fight back," Pol Lt Gen Jakthip said.

Predicting likely trends for crime in the year ahead, Pol Lt Gen Jakthip said the state of the economy would influence the number of robberies. If it worsened, the number of robberies would increase.

Police have been told to keep a close watch on public venues, including shopping malls, railway and bus stations, and oil depots for signs of a resurgence in political violence.

Pol Lt Gen Jakthip expects less political tumult this year than last, even though an election was expected in mid-year. The clashes between the anti-government red shirts and authorities in April and May last year were unlikely to recur, he said.

The city police chief also promised to deal with "tomato police", or officers who support the red shirts, to ensure fair treatment to all political sides.

Police have to stay neutral, particularly during the election, he said.

Officers were accused of favouring the pro-Thaksin Shinawatra red shirts during their rallies last year.

Pol Lt Gen Jakthip said he had evaluated recent by-elections and was confident that would be no violence during this year's general election.