DRUG FIGHTERS INSTRUCTED TO ADJUST THEIR STRATEGIES

Jurin Wants Them To Catch More Big Fish

Anti-drugs agencies were ordered to adjust their suppression strategies to bring more major drug dealers to task.

Jurin Laksanavisit, the PM's Office minister who oversees the Office of Narcotics Control Board, yesterday said 40% of some 1,310 blacklisted drug dealers were caught between June and Sept 6.

Of the blacklisted dealers, 330 were from the North, 350 from the Central Region, 202 from the Northeast, 305 from the South and 123 from the capital.

The recent crackdown has already forced 47 major dealers out of the drug trade.

The minister said he ordered the ONCB and anti-drug agencies from nine police divisions to jointly prepare a list of major drug dealers, draw up a permanent drug suppression plan, search more suspect villages and prevent dealers from fleeing target villages.

Mr Jurin said the list was expected to be completed by Oct 1.

He defended efforts by the fifth and sixth police divisions in combating drugs in their jurisdictions and said their measures were successful "to a certain extent".

Sources said some areas in the North were difficult for the police to patrol effectively since many drug-plagued villages were located in mountainous areas.

Over the past four months, 50 drug dealers in the North were shot dead, the minister said, and 63 blacklisted dealers were caught in Bangkok.

Tough action would be taken against dealers and officials involved in the drug trade, he said, adding that 240 officials were already dismissed from government service because of their involvement in the drug business.

Sources said many major drug dealers had close ties with influential figures, including politicians and local leaders.