Chonburi Gov. Wichit
Chatpaisit and high ranking police officials pour over the confiscated
paraphernalia, as those arrested sit and wait processing behind them.
Boonlua Chatree
More than 300 police, military and government personnel
stormed Koh Sichang, detaining 500 island residents for drug tests that
eventually netted 22 arrests and the seizure of a small amount of drugs and
weapons.
Chonburi Gov. Wichit Chatpaisit led the Aug. 24 raid by
Phutorn, marine and drug-control police as well as soldiers from the 14th
Military Circle. Officers using drug sniffing dogs searched seven villages
and 20 neighborhoods, confiscating an undisclosed amount of ya ba, 602 g. of
marijuana, 0.2 g. of crystal methamphetamines, three guns and 61 bullets.
Eighteen people who failed drug tests were arrested and
police also apprehended one alleged dealer, two people illegally possessing
firearms, and another alleged loan shark.
In a post-raid press conference, Wichit bragged that
Chonburi has staged more drug raids and arrests than any other Eastern
Seaboard province. In all, the province has arrested 16,792 people on drug
charges, he said.
Wichit said Koh Sichang has been a high-priority target
and encouraged village chiefs and local police to ban from the island anyone
found using drugs.
