Thai Army imposes strict measures against drug smuggling

BANGKOK,Dec16(TNA)- Thailand’s First Army Region Commander Lieutenant General Udomdet Seetaboot has ordered army units along the border and under his jurisdiction to impose strict measures and set up checkpoints to suppress drug smuggling.

Lieutenant General Udomdet said drug trafficking along the border had adverse impacts on national security and the public, especially youth. The 1st Army has ordered the Burapha Task Force to suppress drug smuggling along the eastern border adjacent to Cambodia while the Surasee Task Force is responsible for blocking trafficking along the western border with Myanmar.

Soldiers have set up checkpoints on roads drug traffickers may use. Officers along the western border also conduct patrols and have a close watch on refugees who may smuggle narcotics into the country.

The First Army chief said that inside the country the first regional office of the Internal Security Operations Command was tasked with conducting intelligence on illicit drug business in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. It will report findings to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board and police for further actions.

The First Army chief confirmed Myanmar and Cambodian authorities were cooperating well with Thai authorities in drug suppression attempts.(TNA)