Govt vows drug crackdown

The government has instructed security authorities to step up surveillance of drug trafficking during the New Year holiday while vowing to bust more drug rings this year.

During a meeting with security and drug-suppression authorities yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon stressed the importance of maintaining close surveillance of drug trafficking activity over the holiday, said Gen Kongcheep Tantravanich, spokesman for the Defence Ministry.

Gen Prawit said the government would continue working towards the goal of making Thailand a drug-free society.

Gen Prawit said Thailand will need concerted efforts from local organisations while also cooperating with neighbouring nations to achieve the goal.

This would assist with suppressing drug production in border areas and the trafficking of drugs into Thailand.

Despite the pandemic, drug trafficking remained a serious concern due to the high demand for illicit drugs over the past year, Gen Kongcheep said.

As drug production has continued in neighbouring countries, more such drugs were intercepted as they were smuggled into Thailand, especially methamphetamines and heroin, he said.

About 325,000 drug suspects were detained in drug-suppression operations last year, up to 10,619 of whom were found to be producers of the drugs confiscated in the operations, Gen Kongcheep said.

About 590.7 million methamphetamine tablets, 21.8 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine and 81.2 tonnes of marijuana, were seized last year, he said.

About 3.3 tonnes of heroin, 581,882 ecstasy tablets, 521kg of opium, a tonne of ketamine and 37kg of cocaine were also seized.