71 year old stressed drug suspect defecates herself during arrest

A 71 year old Thai woman in the central province of Ang Thong defecated herself during an arrest yesterday for drug dealing. She claimed she needed to sell drugs to cover her medical expenses.

Officers from the Pa Mok District Administrative Office and Pa Mok Police Station yesterday, November 13, raided a house in the district to arrest the suspect, 71 year old Thong. The woman was found supplying methamphetamine, commonly known as Yaba, to teenagers in the community.

Police searched Thong’s home and found 25 Yaba pills hidden in a black plastic case. She attempted to hide the case under a fan but her attempt was unsuccessful. Officers also discovered a zip-lock bag containing 1,510 baht in cash at the same location.

Thong eventually admitted to selling the drugs in the area at 25 baht per tablet. She claimed to have bought the drugs from a man named “K” for 18 baht per pill.

Thong explained that drug dealing was the only job that could provide enough money to cover her medical costs. She suffers from multiple congenital conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

She further stated that, although she and her husband live separately, she also had to cover his medical expenses. She said she had no choice but to sell illegal substances.

Police informed Matichon that Thong defecated herself during the arrest, reportedly due to stress about her future and the legal consequences she faces.

Thong could face a prison sentence of between two and 20 years and a fine of between 200,000 and 2 million baht for violating Section 145 of the Narcotics Control Act, which prohibits possession of a Category 1 drug (methamphetamine) for sale.

In a related case, another senior drug suspect, a 63 year old woman, was arrested in the Isaan province of Udon Thani in May. She claimed her former job as a som tam vendor was insufficient to cover her expenses, so she became a full-time drug dealer.