PHUKET: More than 1,000 drugs suspects were arrested in seven southern provinces during the "Sayob Andaman (Defeating Andaman) 7/66" operation by Provincial Police Division 8.
Pol Gen Sompong Chingduang, special adviser to the Royal Thai Police, held a press conference in Phuket yesterday to summarise the success of the recent operation, the seventh led by Provincial Police Region 8 commissioner Pol Lt Gen Surapong Thanomchit to suppress crimes involving narcotics and to destroy drug networks in popular tourist areas.
Provincial Police Region 8 covers the provinces of Chumphon, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Pol Maj Gen Peerayut Karajedee, deputy commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8, said officers raided 517 premises and arrested 1,040 suspects, 46 of whom had outstanding arrest warrants against them.
Police seized in total 99,985 ya ba or methamphetamine pills, 2.1 kilogrammes of crystal meth, 0.83 grammes of ketamine, and 8.32 grammes of heroin.
Police also seized assets, including nine cars, 16 motorcycles, 52 guns, and 359 other valuable items, worth 6,233,695 baht in total, he added.
Pol Gen Sompong said police will continue conducting drug raids regularly for the safety of people and tourists.