CAMPAIGN PUTS PAID TO 115 TRAFFICKERS

Tougher suppression measures have put 115 major drug dealers out of
business in the Northeast.

Permpong Chavalit, director of the narcotics suppression office in the
Northeast, said many drug dealers and addicts have turned themselves
in to police and promised to turn a new leaf.

Under the suppression plan, a total of 103 special units have been set
up to stem the flow of illicit drugs in 19 northeastern provinces.

The units have been set up by the Third Police Region (38 units), the
Fourth Police Region (45 units), the Border Patrol Police Division
(eight units) and the narcotics suppression office in the Northeast
(12 units).

A list of 202 major drug dealers in the region was distributed among
the units before they were dispatched to suppression areas:149
villages in 64 districts and two sub-districts.

To effectively root out narcotics, authorities have divided target
areas into five zones, Mr Permpong said.

The first zone covers Loei (Dan Sai and Phu Luang districts), Khon
Kaen and Chaiyaphum provinces, where 26 major dealers are on the watchlist.

According to intelligence gathering, a large quantity of speed pills
have been smuggled into the first zone via Phetchabun province,
adjacent to Chaiyaphum.

Local traders reportedly bought the drugs from Hmong
tribesmen.

The second zone covers seven border provinces of Loei (excluding Dan
Sai and Phu Luang districts), Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan,
Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani and Yasothon, where 84 major drug
dealers are reportedly operating. Drugs from the Golden Triangle in
Burma have been pouring into this zone.

The third zone covers Nong Bua Lamphu, Sakon Nakhon and Udon Thani
provinces, with 19 drug dealers on the watchlist.

Sources said about 550,000 speed pills a month were delivered from the
northern border into this zone.

The fourth zone covers Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin and Si Sa
Ket with 35 drug dealers on the watchlist.

Drugs have been smuggled into these areas from several sources
including the Central Plains, the North and Laos.

The fifth zone covers four provinces: Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Roi-et and
Maha Sarakham.

The drug situation is more serious in these provinces, where about two
million speed pills are smuggled in every month.

These four provinces are used as drug storage areas and transit
routes, sources said.