Illegal alien arrests continue to fall

PHUKET: The number of illegal immigrants arrested on the island has fallen dramatically for the second successive month, according to the latest crime statistics issued by the police. From October 1 to 24, only 10 illegal aliens were arrested, compared with 47 during the same period in September, and 230 in August. The dramatic fall has been credited to the Employment Services Office drive to register all foreign workers on the island, which came to an end on October 25. Gambling held its traditional number one spot with 236 arrests during the period, an increase of 22 arrests. Of the 88 arrests for narcotics during the period, 44 involved ya bah (methamphetamine) with the police seizing 3,327 tablets of the drug – over 2½ times more than last month’s haul. Four murders were reported in the period, of which three were solved, with three men being arrested. In addition, two attempted murders were reported, with one arrest being made. There were also two arrests for rape, 11 for assault and seven for prostitution.