KLONG TOEI DRUG BOSS GETS LIFE IN PRISON

A Klong Toei drug boss was found guilty of drug trafficking yesterday
and sentenced to life imprisonment on circumstantial evidence.

Supap "Pap 70 Rai" Sidaeng, an underworld leader in the slum
community, was found guilty of methamphetamine trafficking in a
verdict sure to set a new trend in drug litigation.

In a departure from other drug cases relying on physical evidence,
Supap was convicted because the Criminal Court was certain he was a
"first-tier trafficker".

"The defendant is a Jek Pua [first-tier trafficker] and corroborated
testimonies of drug gang members have told this court that Jek
Pua-level bosses are not personally involved in drug transactions,"
the verdict said.

Supap, 34, also known as Sayam Sapworasith, was arrested at his Klong
Toei home last year at the height of the government's drug war. The
police failed to find drugs when they raided his home.

Prosecutors built their case against Supap for crimes committed in
1998 and 2000 on the testimony of convicted drug dealer Suchart "Mu"
Pantachote, a former member of Supap's gang.

The prosecution contended new evidence implicated Supap, although his
name did not come up at either trial.

Defence lawyer Bancha Chaijam said he would appeal a number of legal
points that led to his client's conviction.

Chief prosecutor Thanaphol Juthatemee said he was pleased with the
conviction and had no plans to seek capital punishment.

In its verdict, the court said it could accept Suchart's statement
against Supap because it had no reason to suspect malicious intent.
Suchart volunteered the information without the promise of a reduced
sentence.

Suchart claimed he and other second-tier traffickers carried out
illegal operations on Supap's behalf. He said Supap's two wives were
in charge of accounting and financing.

Supap appeared shocked at the verdict, and bid his mother a tearful
farewell before being escorted from the courtroom.