The government has launched yet another series of anti-drugs sweep aimed at taming the North. They are part of the decades-old campaign to wipe out trafficking in illicit drugs. Authorities came up with reports to the public that had a very tired look and feel. A one-month "massive" suppression campaign resulted in the arrests of 63 suspects, the seizure of many kilogrammes of drugs and the unsurprising discovery of some 241 million baht of "assets" -- cash, gold, cars and motorcycles, up-scale homes, land and condominiums.
The drug seizures removed various methamphetamine ya ba tablets, marijuana, ecstasy pills and an impressive amount of crystal meth, or ya ice from the traffickers' planned supply lines. The "assets" are why the suspects turn to drug trafficking in the first place. It is an enormously profitable business.
Operation Chaiya Sayop Pairee 61/3, as the name indicates, is an ongoing task of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau. Of the 63 suspects detained in the third coordinated raids of the year, NSB commissioner Sommai Kongwisaisook and his task force said several were key lieutenants of two significant drug gangs. They include the wife and mother of an alleged syndicate leader, Jirat "Ek Ouan" Pensophonwitch, who was arrested in a raid in Nonthaburi in September. The women reportedly handled the gang's money, land and vehicles.
A second independent gang is allegedly run by Wanchalerm "Note Dindaeng" Kamollert, still a fugitive. Those who follow the news will recognise the names of that gang's alleged members: the Lao alleged drug lord Xaysana Keopimpha, and the B-list Bangkok celebrities Akarakit "Benz Racing" Worarojcharoendet, and Natthaphol "Boy" Nakkham.
The NSB are entitled to their day in the publicity sun. They are a hard-working police detachment, with successes under the belts. They and the prime minister's Office of Narcotics Control Board are untainted by corruption allegations. This is remarkable, given their constant attention to the dirtiest battle against the most venal criminals.
The unfortunate truth about Operation Chaiya Sayop Pairee is that it is closer to the frustrating game of whack-a-mole than to victory in the 45-year-old "war on drugs". The NSB, ONCB and other security units, staffed with some of the best men and women in law enforcement, have been dumped by their political masters into a war they cannot win. Quite apart from the ongoing debate about possible liberalisation or even legalisation of some drugs, the national campaigns against international drug syndicates have zero chance of success.
No matter how many suspects are detained, assets seized and drugs burnt the anti-drug operations aimed at the Golden Triangle cannot succeed without international help. The arrest of Mr Xaysana almost 14 months ago was advertised as the law-enforcement break that would end the long-standing "Malaysia Connection" drugs operation. Simply put, this involves drugs that are produced in Myanmar and smuggled to Laos, brought into Thailand and smuggled on planes, trains and automobiles down to, and across, the Malaysian border.
As has been the case for more than 50 years, the Myanmar authorities claim they do not have the ability to fully control the drug-making areas. In the case of Laos, the communist government never has shown significant cooperation in fighting international crime, although it takes occasional action against Laos-based traffickers. If Malaysia ever has used its influence with Myanmar and Laos to step up efforts against illicit drugs, it has been both secret and without result.
Suppression can make a difference and deal significant pain to current and would-be traffickers. But without seamless cooperation from all three countries of the Golden Triangle, operations like Chaiya Sayop Pairee are only fighting the tide.
