A soldier in Songkhla has been charged with the illegal possession of narcotics after he was arrested by officials from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board with 11 kilogrammes of ecstasy pills.
Assistant national police chief and ONCB's acting secretary-general Phanurat Lakbun said the soldier was arrested following an investigation into state officials whom the office suspected were involved in drug trafficking in Hat Yai district.
The suspect, who was only identified as a 29-year-old soldier serving in an administrative role, was arrested at Rattanapon Military Camp in Khlong Hoi Khong district on Dec 9, where he was found with the ecstasy.
The man is reported to be a major drug dealer in the area, according to Pol Lt Gen Phanurat, adding the police are tracking down other individuals who are involved in his trafficking ring.
Drug dealing is a criminal offence that is punishable by five years to life imprisonment and a fine ranging between 500,000 to one million baht. The penalty is three times more severe for officials found guilty of dealing narcotics.
Pol Lt Gen Phanurat said the ONCB has launched an official Line account to receive complaints about state officials who are suspected to be involved in drug trafficking.
The whistleblowers' identities will be kept in strict confidence, he assured.