DRUG OFFICIALS UNABLE TO MAKE DRUG CHARGES STICK

The Drug Combating Center in Chiang Mai recently held a training
session for 250 teachers, Boy Scout leaders and other community
leaders within the municipal area. Atthacha Kampanartsaenyakorn, head
of the Drug Combating Center, said he believed communities working
with the center were becoming stronger, but the drug scourge would
continue if there was not a sufficiently vigorous and able law
enforcement against drug dealers and money launderers.

He cited the cases of Laota Saenlee, whose conviction was cancelled by
the Court of First Instance and of Wei Hsuesh-kang's righthand man,
whose properties had been confiscated by the Anti Money Laundering
Office (AMLO) but were returned to him after he hired a talented
lawyer to fight his case.

A member of the provincial council in one district, and Lampang
politicians, whose properties had been confiscated by AMLO had the
action overturned by the Court as well.

"Sometimes, AMLO and government officials cannot penalize these
wrongdoers," said Atthacha. "There are many more drug dealers who the
authorities can't put in jail. If officials can't find evidence to
prove their illegal dealings and if these wrongdoers win the case in
the court, they are declared innocent even though they're not," he
said.