Drop in arrests for gambling, drugs

PHUKET: Arrests for gambling and drugs fell away in December, the latest police statistics show. While gambling remained the number one illegal pastime – with 245 people arrested in 143 raids between December 1 and 25 – comparison with the same period in November shows a decrease of 47 arrests. On the drugs front, 108 raids were made, with 120 arrests. Ya bah (methamphetamine) was involved in 60 cases. Police seized 698 ya bah pills. The statistics for the same period in November showed 124 narcotics raids, with 143 arrests. Three attempted murders were reported during the December period, all of them solved, with three arrests being made. One rape case, yet to result in an arrest, was reported. There were 14 assault cases, with 13 arrests. A total of 40 illegal immigrants were caught, while seven people were arrested for prostitution.