734 arrested in nationwide crackdown on drug-dealing networks

A crackdown on 27 drug-dealing networks nationwide has resulted in 734 arrests and the confiscation of a huge amount of illicit drugs, Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Chalermkiat Sriworakhan announced on Tuesday.

Police operations from September 2 to 11 and a "Chaiyasayobpairee 60/6" operation on Tuesday led to the arrests of 734 suspects involved in 27 drug-dealing networks, Chalermkiat said in his capacity as the chief adviser to the Royal Thai Police's Narcotics Control Coordinating Center, at a press conference at the Provincial Police Region 1 office.
The suspects included 15 alleged narcotics producers, 52 alleged drugs distributors and 256 persons accused of having drugs in their possession with intent to sell.
Officers also seized 192,589 yaba pills, 316.78 grams of crystal methamphetamine or "ice", 2.8 kilograms of marijuana, 24 grams of cocaine, 39 bottles of ketamine, 4.5 grams of ecstasy, 10 kratom plants and 44 guns as well as 316 bullets.
Police also subsequently seized 47 suspects' assets worth Bt12.6 million, he added.