Border raids ordered on drug plants

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

June 29, 1999 


NARCOTICS


Border raids ordered on drug plants


Drug factories along the Thai-Burmese border are the target of a week-long
suppression campaign by the National Narcotics Operation Centre.


The search and destroy campaign will concentrate on heroin and amphetamine
plants in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son, said a border source. 


Authorities in Burma had been informed of the drive focusing on areas
controlled by ethnic minority groups that are major producers of illicit
drugs,
including the United Wa State Army, believed to be the biggest trafficker in
the Golden Triangle area.


Taking part in the operation will be units from the army, air force and
police.


The air force's Chiang Mai-based Wing 41 was yesterday thronged with fighter
planes, including L-39 light attack aircraft, F-5 and F-16 multi-role
fighters,
raising speculation they would be deployed. However, a senior air force
officer
said the jet fighters were there as part of the Supreme Command's annual
defence exercise and had nothing to do with the anti-drugs drive.


An army source said Lt-Gen Chalor Thongsala, chief of the Third Army Corps,
would be responsible for the army's operation along the border.


"Special forces from the Chiang Mai-based 5th Special Warfare Regiment will be
deployed," sources said.


The centre, which supervises drug suppression nationwide, was formed last year
under the PM's Order 141/2541. It requires the Third Army chief to direct
anti-drugs measures in the North and report to the centre chief, currently the
interior minister.



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Last Modified: Tue, Jun 29, 1999
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