Over 1,000 people have been arrested in Phuket and 6 other southern provinces, as part of a major narcotics operation by Provincial Police Division 8. According to the Bangkok Post, the operation was named “Sayob Andaman (Defeating Andaman) 7/66”.
The operation was carried out in Phuket, Chumphon, Ranong, Phang Nga, Krabi, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat. It was the seventh such operation to be led by Surapong Thanomchit, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8.
The arrests were confirmed at a press conference held by Sompong Chingduang, special adviser to the Royal Thai Police. Addressing the media, he gave a summary of the success of the operation, which was aimed at destroying drug networks in popular tourist destinations.
He says police in the region will continue to carry out such raids in order to protect local residents and tourists.
The deputy commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8 says that in a raid involving 517 premises, officers arrested a total of 1,040 suspects. Of those, 46 had outstanding arrest warrants against them.
Peerayut Karajedee says officers also confiscated 99,985 yaba (methamphetamine) pills, 2.1 kilos of crystal meth, and 8.32 grams of heroin. Police also seized assets that included 9 cars, 16 motorbikes, 52 guns, along with 359 other items, amounting to a total value of more than 6,234,000 baht.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
