Stories tagged with drugs
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CM Police raid three drug houses
The local Police Departments in Chiang Mai and Lampang have seized three houses in the two areas of northern Thailand in connection with suspected drug baron Anant Salae, with a total property value of no less than 15 million baht. Salae himself was arrested in the Songkla province town of Hat Yai on April 30th, along with two men suspected of being his accomplices. Anant was found to be in possession of almost one and a half kilograms of heroin when police arrested the ringleader, which is now being held as evidence by Songkla Police until it is needed in future criminal proceedings.
Police have long suspected Anant was responsible for the trafficking of heroin and methamphetamines that would arrive in Thailand’s north from Burma for eventual distribution in the south of the country. There was much in the three houses that was seized in the raids following Anant’s arrest, including furniture, electronics and other household items. The investigation is ongoing and Thai police are attempting to locate other member’s of Anant’s gang.
Posted by: DaveB on 06 May 2008, 11:32 -
Samui drug smuggler dies
Last week it was reported that 51-year old Australian John Paul Jones had checked himself into a Phuket hospital complaining of severe stomach pains after he had arrived on the island. When doctors performed an X-Ray on Jones, it was found that he had swallowed 60 condoms full of hashish, some of which had burst, possibly days before, causing the extreme pains. Jones had apparently been planning to sell the massive amount of drugs during one of the notorious full moon parties on the nearby island of Ko Phanang.
Local police officer Songyos Chotesurat reported that, “Since he was hospitalised the doctor said his condition was 50-50," and now with his death, the police department has dropped the drug trafficking charges that were to be laid against him.
Doctors had performed surgery to remove the drugs from Jones’ intestines, but he succumbed to severe infections caused by some condoms bursting on April 19th and passed away. .
Posted by: DaveB on 30 Apr 2008, 19:42 -
30 grand in hash found in man’s stomach
Last week an Australian man was arrested on the island of Ko Samui after being admitted to the hospital and doctors having found a sizeable quantity of drugs in his stomach. The islands off the southern shores of Thailand are not unknown as a place where soft drugs are widely available, but the arrest of 51-year old Aussie John Paul Jones may have an effect on local supply, as over $30,000 worth of hashish was allegedly found in his stomach when he was examined by doctors.
Jones arrived in Thailand and asked to be taken to the hospital shortly after, complaining of severe stomach pain. When an X-Ray revealed a string of small packages in his small intestine, 62 in all, the 800 grams of hash were surgically removed. It took doctors two hours to remove all the drug packets from Mr. Jones’ stomach, and surgeon Dr. Worapob said, "Before the operation, Mr Jones looked nervous and asked whether police would be notified. We found 62 black objects obstructing his small intestine. Three packs had burst."
Posted by: DaveB on 24 Apr 2008, 18:27 -
Clampdown on getting pie-eyed in Pai
The small mountain village of Pai in Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand has been quietly gathering steam as a must-see town on the tourist trail through the mountainous north. It’s relative isolation and thus loose law enforcement has made it a popular spot for those who burn the herb; both tourists and locals alike. Its reputation has grown to a bit of a notorious status as the place to go to score some chiba.
While guided tours and hikes through hilltribe villages are common enough in northern Thailand, this particular area is thought to provide visitors with a little bit more local produce than local authorities would like them to leave the locality with.
Last week the long arm of the law managed to cut down the long stems of 1200 marijuana plants on a grow field in the village of Ban Wai near the newly crowned cash cow of touristy Pai. The plants weighed in at around 1400 kilos and were promptly burned by police upon seizure.
The example has thus been set, and set firmly; for surely there is a proliferation of pot fields in the area to keep the dreadlocked and the perpetually hungry people happy and high, chuckling weakly with droopy eyes and sloppy grins.
Posted by: DaveB on 21 Sep 2007, 09:59 -
Government to crack down on opium fields in north
The so-called Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and China meet has always been synonymous with the drug trade, specifically the opium trade. The mountainous and isolated terrain has allowed the illegal growth of poppies to flourish for years. These days, tourists cruise the golden triangle like a theme park, but its days as a drug den have ostensibly come to an end, or have they?
Government authorities have stated that recently, a growing number of farmers have been found growing poppies in the northern provinces of Thailand. Certain districts of Chiang Mai, Chiang Dao and Mae Chaem are the biggest growers, producing over 1,000 rai worth of poppies.
Police have set aside 2.28 million baht to address the problem, and plan to eradicate the fields throughout 9 districts of Koi, Chiang Dao, Chaiprakarn, Fang, Phrao, Mae Chaem, Mae Ai and Mae Taeng. The authorities have been working to be compliant with guidelines set out by the United Nations to deal with such a problem and it is hoped all plantations can be wiped out within a year.
Posted by: DaveB on 09 Aug 2007, 16:51