Police brass hold a press conference to announce the
early success of Operation Rattlesnake 2012.
Boonlua Chatree
American drug-control experts assisted Thai police in
capturing 34 suspected drug dealers and users in the Pattaya area.
Lt. Gen. Chaiwat Chotima, head of the Office of Narcotics
Board and Region 2 commander Lt. Gen. Punya Mamen joined David McConnell, acting
assistant director of the American Office of Narcotics Control Board, at the
Feb. 17 press conference announcing the arrests.
Dubbed “Operation Rattlesnake 2012,” the Feb. 13-17 drug
sweep rounded up dealers on Pattaya Beach and Walking Street. The arrests
included eight cases of possession of crystal methamphetamines, 26 cases of
dealing marijuana and the arrest of 39 men and five women.
Chaiwat said he hopes interrogation of the suspects will lead
to their larger source for the drugs.