Illegal immigrant arrest tally falls

PHUKET: The number of arrests of illegal immigrants fell sharply in the period from May 1 to May 25 compared with the same period in the previous month, police statistics show. The total plummeted from 237 arrests to 75. Gambling arrests also dropped, from 229 arrests in 73 raids to 198 from 106 raids. Six of the May gambling raids were associated with soccer gambling, with six people arrested. Narcotics cases tallied about the same as in April, with 88 arrests, including 44 people held for ya bah (methamphetamine) offences. Police seized 1,106 ya bah pills. The statistics showed five murders were reported, of which three were solved. There were two attempted murders, both solved. Police also recorded 13 cases of assault with 11 people arrested, and 16 arrests for prostitution. There were two unsolved rapes.