Drugs

7 Yala police officers sentenced for bribery, sale of confiscated methamphetamines

Published

Friday, December 11, 2020 11:16

PHOTO: Thai Rath

7 police officers in the southern province of Yala have been sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment and fined 800,000 baht, for bribing a drug dealer and selling confiscated drugs to youths in the area. Yala provincial court sentenced the officers on Wednesday. They have been named in Thai media reports as, Jirasak Nooplod, Sitthapak Chandaeng, Siroj Jaikaewthi, Amphol Ngu-tul, Narongdet Shinpakdi, Thongchai Nurak, and Nathasorn Nuanmai. All were working as part of Yala police station’s special operations unit.

According to a report in the Chiang Rai Times, the officers are accused of demanding 100,000 baht from a drug dealer who’d been busted with 200 methamphetamine pills. The dealer paid a 50,000 baht deposit and the officers kept the confiscated drugs, both for their own use and to sell to local youths.

Prabphol Meemongkhol, one of the officers investigating a claim of extortion against the 7, says the case has reflected negatively on Yala and neighbouring provinces, as well as damaging the reputation of the Royal Thai Police.

SOURCE: Chiang Rai Times

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6 Comments

Toby Andrews

Friday, December 11, 2020 at 11:30 am

Is that 8 years each or a total of 8 years for them all?

Reply
- Issan John
  
  Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 4:03 pm
  
  The original source states that they “have EACH been jailed for eight years and fined 800,000 baht” (my caps).
  
  Reply
14cycles

Friday, December 11, 2020 at 5:46 pm

Govt intervention of any popular human trade cannot compete with the free market. The free market employs more, pays more, is efficient

Reply
Gigi

Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 6:27 am

Let me understand:They got 8 for bribery and drug selling ?
I was always under impression that Thailand was very strict on related Drugs charges .
Ohh but they are Policemen’s….

Reply
- Issan John
  
  Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 4:14 pm
  
  I’d suggest that 8 years jail and an 800,000 baht fine for taking a 6,250 bribe each (plus another 6,250 baht to come later) and for possessing / selling 25 methamphetamine tablets, plus the loss of their job and their pension, isn’t unreasonable for anyone, including the BiB.
  
  As with anyone else, it’s perfectly possible this was the ‘tip of the iceberg’ and they were guilty of considerably more, or that others have got away with considerably more, but in terms of the charges and the offence what would you suggest would have been appropriate?
  
  Reply
James Pate

Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 5:30 am

Perhaps it’s wishful thinking, but I hope they do the full 8 years. Meth is a terrible thing!

Reply

Maya Taylor

A seasoned writer, with a degree in Creative Writing. Over ten years' experience in producing blog and magazine articles, news reports and website content.

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