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COCA Power Blowing TO Thailand
Article
 
Country: Thailand

Judging from a "market survey" conducted by a European male and female and a Thai woman a few days ago, cocaine is not hard to find on the streets of Bangkok. On their quest to find the illicit substance, the three spoke to people employed in bars, pubs, lounges and discos along Silom, Ratchadaphisek, Phetchburi and Sukhumvit roads. A large number of workers in these entertainment venues admitted to knowing "someone" who could supply cocaine, and some even offered to do so themselves, or pass them on to someone else who would. "This was usually after an 'introductory conversation'," said a Russian-born woman, who was surprised at how easy it was to gain the trust of the sellers. A British man had slightly more difficulty, but after more lengthy conversations he was also finally given advice as to where and from whom he could buy the drug. "Some people asked me: 'Are you FBI?' When I said 'no', they were more willing to deal with me." The Thai lady also had no problem finding the right people to satisfy a craving for the white powder. Some people told her that cocaine is served in a number of entertainment places mixed in soft drinks. This method is apparently used because it makes it is very hard for police to arrest anyone, she was told. Several African men hanging around Sukhumvit Road sois 3 and 4 approached both foreigners, and after a short chat offered, among other illegal activities, to sell cocaine themselves or to make introductions to someone who could. One of these men warned the two to be careful and not contact anyone else, because only he could be trusted. Others would sell them the coke and then offer them up as a "gift" to the police so that they would be allowed to continue in their drug dealings. The impromptu survey bears out what police files have been confirming for some time: The smuggling and consumption of cocaine is on the rise in Thailand, even though the drug must be imported from distant South America and it costs much more than heroin, methamphetamine or any other type of drug available here. "The arrests of smugglers and quantity of cocaine seized have increased dramatically during the past two years," disclosed Police Major General Amaresrit Wattanavibool. He mentioned that the drug has been smuggled to Thailand by couriers from South American countries, including Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia and Peru, for about two decades. The Narcotic Suppression Bureau (NSB), to which he is attached, regards cocaine as the biggest problem the country faces as far as the drug trade is concerned "Before we faced a serious problem with heroin, later with methamphetamines (yaba) and now it is cocaine," Amaresrit added. According to statistics released by the Office of the Narcotic Control Board (ONCB), the number of cases nationwide more than doubled and the quantity of cocaine seized skyrocketed 600% in 2006 in comparison with 2005 (see table). A Western anti-narcotics officer based in Bangkok who requested anonymity confirmed that although smuggling and use of cocaine in Thailand had been going on for almost 20 years, it has increased dramatically during the past two years. He believes that the number of arrests and seizures is only a fraction, "a drop of water in the ocean", compared to what actually goes on. The officer estimates that for each smuggler apprehended, eight or nine get through. He noted that cocaine is not cheap. One dose, which is less than one gram, sells for about 3,500 baht. The same weight of heroin costs 2,000 - 2,500 baht. In Thailand cocaine is usually snorted or inhaled. It can also be injected, though Amaresrit didn't think that was a common mode of ingestion. It is unlikely that a person will die as a result of an overdose, though as in cases with heroin, it is possible. "In the past, a relatively small group of people in Thailand consumed cocaine, but as more is coming in, the number of people who take it has been increasing, especially in the past two years. People who consume cocaine are both Thais and foreigners. They are definitely not 'high society', but they have money," Amaresrit said. "Thais who take cocaine belong to several categories, such as those with a better educational background. They studied abroad, and got hooked on the drug there. After returning they couldn't stop and continued in the habit. When cocaine was scarce some of them even flew to South America themselves to buy it for their own use. Now organised gangs import it for them," Amaresrit said. Another category of users includes well-to-do professional people or the children of wealthy parents. They have more money than the common addict and can afford to buy expensive cocaine. They think it is a better quality drug than heroin, which is also highly addictive and extremely difficult to withdraw from. They look at heroin addicts as "junkies," something they don't want to be. They regard themselves as 'high class', an assumption Amaresrit definitely disagrees with. Thirdly, he continued, cocaine is often taken by people in the entertainment industry such as actors, artists, models, models and musicians. They represent only a fraction people in these industries, however. They often consume the drug at parties thrown especially for the purpose. Cocaine is regarded as a "club drug", said Amaresrit. Bar girls, hostesses and others employed in entertainment places may take cocaine as well, and some have for many years. A final category is made up of foreigners, either expats or tourists, who may be addicted.

SUPPLYING A DEMAND

Amaresrit said no one knows how many people in Thailand are addicted to cocaine, but there are surely far fewer than there are addicts of yaba and heroin. "But," he added, "because there is a demand for the drug, someone will supply it. The increase in the consumption of cocaine brings big profits to the smugglers who carry it from South America." He disclosed that the drug has been smuggled to Thailand by couriers from South American countries, including Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia and Peru, for about two decades, and that the smuggling of cocaine is organised mainly by West African syndicates operating in Thailand. "Some of them used to deal in heroin, buying it within the Southeast Asia region and sending it abroad. With cocaine, they are in the import business. "They distribute it through some 'bad' restaurants in downtown Bangkok where foreigners gather, such as in the Silom and Khao San road areas. In an addition, some Europeans also distribute the drug here," Amaresrit said. The cocaine brought into Thailand is also sent on to other countries, like Australia, China and Japan, Amaresrit remarked, adding that smuggling of cocaine to China is quite a big problem for law enforcement authorities at this time. The US Department of State's International Narcotic Control Strategy Report, published in March, is in general agreement with Amaresrit. "The increase in cocaine importation and trafficking in Thailand continued in 2006, and the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) Bangkok field office is conducting multiple investigations into organisations that are smuggling cocaine from South America (mostly Brazil, Peru and Bolivia) for distribution in Thailand or transshipments to Taiwan, Japan and elsewhere in Asia," says the report. It also confirms that the cocaine market in Thailand is still largely controlled by West African criminal organisations, adding that South Americans (Bolivians, Peruvians and Columbians) are becoming much more engaged in Thailand and the region than ever before.

PREFERENCE FOR ASIAN WOMEN

Pol Maj Gen Amaresrti discussed some of his personal experiences in trying to stem the flow of cocaine into the country. "We seized over one kilogramme of cocaine from a Bolivian woman who flew directly from Brazil to Thailand 13 years ago. She concealed the cocaine inside a suitcase and was supposed to deliver it to a Thai girl working in a restaurant who was married to a European man." Amaresrit said that the cocaine smugglers used to fly from South America to Thailand via Europe, mainly Amsterdam or Paris. After scores of Thai females were arrested there - sometimes one flight from South America had 5-10 Thai couriers aboard - the syndicates recruited Filipino females, as well as women from other Asian countries. The syndicates prefer to use Asian women. "I used to interview them after their arrest. They told me that they were recruited by West Africans in Thailand, promised a free trip and $5,000. They were to just wait in a hotel room for someone who would bring them a package. Their job was to bring it to Thailand. They weren't told what they were carrying but they knew it was drugs. "Recently," he continued, "the gangs started to hire South American nationals, mainly Peruvians, as couriers. We arrested many of them in 2006 and also this year. Two were caught by the Customs at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport on April 27." According to a Thai Customs official who was in on the case, the two men arrived on a flight from Kuala Lumpur, and as they were proceeding through immigration an X-ray machine detected what looked like hundreds of capsules in their stomaches. They were given a medicine that forced out about 250 capsules filled with cocaine weighing 1.9 kilogrammes (4.2 pounds). Both reportedly confessed to the Thai authorities that they were hired to transport the drugs from Argentina to Thailand. "I don't understand why it is so often Peruvians. Maybe because there are no visa requirements for citizens between our two countries," Amaresrit said. In the past, he said, cocaine was usually concealed in a suitcase. One of the biggest cocaine seizures in Thailand occurred several years ago, when about 10 kilogrammes were found at Don Muang Airport hidden in a suitcase carried by a Thai girl. "Only recently have the smugglers begun to swallow the drug packed in condoms or capsules. They take a medicine to keep them from going to the toilet during their trip from South America to Thailand. This method is dangerous, and couriers have died after condoms or capsules have ruptured inside their bodies," Amaresrit noted. Australia has also experienced an upsurge in cocaine traffic. The Australian Federal Police charged 28 people with smuggling the drug within their persons in 2006. This figure has increased almost 200% compared to 2005. Recently, a 36-year-old Australian died after he swallowed 36 condoms full of cocaine and traveled from Thailand back to Australia. Amaresrit reiterated that the NSB regards cocaine as a major problem. "We are concerned, and we will do everything to stop the flow of cocaine into our country. Otherwise it will become easily available, and more people will become addicted. Cocaine is produced in bigger quantities than is heroin. It is an addictive drug. Even though death from overdose is almost unheard of, the effect of the drug is terrible," Amaresrit said. "Among various suppression measures, the NSB recently established a special unit dedicated to suppress the cocaine trade," Amaresrit disclosed, adding a stern warning issued to potential cocaine offenders: "The sentence for smuggling cocaine is very long and the conditions in Thai prisons are much more severe than in many countries. Therefore, I would like to warn people who want to smuggle cocaine into Thailand that our law enforcement authorities realise the dangers this drug represents to the country. We will arrest anyone who deals with cocaine, whether they are smugglers or users." The ambassador of Peru in Thailand, Carlos M. Velasco, said that the recent increase of Peruvian nationals transporting cocaine into Thailand is affecting the good image of Peru, a nation with a great history and cultural heritage. "My government has a very strong policy to fight drug trafficking, illegal crops and consumption of toxic substances. Peruvian President Dr Alan Garcia is leading a national crusade to fight trafficking and to intensively promote crop substitution. He has recently asked the National Congress for executive faculties to improve legislation to prosecute and punish drug trafficking rings now operating in Peru," the ambassador said. "Unfortunately, since 2003, 17 Peruvians have been arrested and sentenced to jail terms in Thailand for drug trafficking. Of course, this affects the work of our consular section, which follows each case," Mr. Velasco said. He also pointed out that the drug trafficking goes both ways. There are also a small number of Thai nationals, mainly females, in Peruvian jails for similar offences. "I would like to express my recognition to the Narcotic Suppression Bureau of the Royal Thai police, the Customs and Immigration Department and to the judiciary, for cooperation received from them."Drug trafficking is a transnational crime, which requires the cooperation of all countries affected in order to prevent and protect their populations from this blot," concluded the ambassador.
 
Source: Bangkok Post 03 June, 2007.
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