Counterdrug Media Summary

Kota Kinabalu City Hall is doing its part in ridding the city of drugs by creating awareness of the dire effects with the formation of the KK Anti Dadah Action Committee. Disclosing this here, Mayor Datuk Illyas Ibrahim said the committee consists of 14 government departments and agencies, including the police, to create awareness among their workforce and the public. Illyas, who is chairman of the committee, said it would focus on sending the right messages across to help reduce drug-related problems that are on the rise in Sabah. Despite being aware of places that are popular among drug abusers, he said, "The committee should put more effort into identifying places that have gone undetected. We must obtain more information on how to combat drugs, by finding out where the hotspots are and take action accordingly." Illyas was deeply concerned with the complaints from the public regarding the high number of addicts in the city. He noted that many addicts are still roaming the city, taking drugs openly and urinating on staircases. In light of that, the committee felt that one of the best ways to reduce drug abuse was through strong campaigns that targeted youngsters. He said the emphasis would not be on the paraphernalia or drug types but the impact of drug abuse. Government departments and agencies would also each organise an anti-drug campaign. If a member of a department were suspected of being involved in drugs, the department would immediately inform the police so actions could be taken(continued)

Source: Borneo Bulletin/Arman Gunsika/31 March 2005/

http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/thu/mar31b2.htm

China

Drug-Smuggling Family Nabbed

Police in Harbin have smashed an international drug ring spearheaded by a close knit family. Officers in the capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province arrested seven family members and later investigations led to the arrest of 42 others. More than 20,000 crystals of the so-called "ice" drug were seized with a street value of about 1 million yuan (US$120,000). "The arrest means the collapse of a drug trafficking corridor that runs from Myanmar to Yunnan to Harbin," said police in a statement. The ring leader was a 47-year-old woman named Tan Guiqin who appointed her immediate family as senior gang members. They included her boyfriend Li Guobin, her son Zhang Tianle and his girlfriend Wang Songlan. Wang's niece Tan Yan, nephew Tan Fei and his girlfriend Sun Ying were also arrested. Police were alerted to the family's drug dealing after Tan's neighbour, a man surnamed Li, spotted her selling drugs at a hotel where he was visiting a guest at the end of last year. Li reported Tan to the police who launched a series of investigations. The police later found she had connections with drug traffickers in Myanmar. Working closely with their colleagues in Yunnan, Harbin police found that Zhang, Wang, Sun had frequently shuttled between Yunnan and Harbin during January. Gu Liguang, who headed the investigation team, said the three swallowed the drugs to smuggle them across province borders or through airports to Harbin. (continued)

Source: China Daily/Qin Lei and Li Fangchao//31 March 2005/ http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-03/31/content_429753.htm

Harbin Drug Haul

Police in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, recently seized more than 20,000 methamphetamine pills and arrested 49 suspected drug dealers and addicts. Among those nabbed were the alleged drug-trafficking ringleader Tan Guiqin, her boyfriend Li Guobin and five of her family members, police said. Tan's ring transported the illicit drug from Myanmar to Harbin via Yunnan Province, according to officials.

Source: Eastday/30 March 2005/ http://english.eastday.com/eastday/englishedition/nation/userobject1ai974877.html

China Scores Major Anti-Drug Achievements

China had "major achievements" in drug control in 2004 with more cases solved and suspects arrested than in 2003, resulting in a large increase in the street price of narcotics, says the National Narcotics Control Commission. China cracked 98,000 drug-related cases in 2004, up 4.4 percent over the previous year, and seized 66,900 suspects, up 5.1 percent, according to statistics revealed at the commission's plenary meeting held here Monday. According to the commission, China seized 10.8 tons of heroin in 2004, up 13.6 percent year-on-year; more than 3 million "head-shaking" pills, or ecstasy, an eight-fold increase; 2.7 tons of "ice," down 52.9 percent; and 160 tons of chemicals for drug manufacture, up 119.8 percent. "Thanks to years of high-powered crackdowns, drugs have become more difficult to come by on the domestic market. Drug prices haverisen significantly and the high incidence of drug-related crimes has generally been brought under control," said a commission official. Slowing down drug-taking China succeeded in slowing down the rise of drug-taking in 2004, as the number of new drug addicts in the year went down 19.7 percent to 22,000 from the previous year, says the National Narcotics Control Commission. "The number of rehabilitated former drug addicts that have rejected drugs for more than three years has reached 88,000," according to statistics revealed at the commission's plenary meeting held here Monday. Of the registered drug addicts at the end of 2004, the percentage of people aged below 35 dropped to 70 percent from 77 percent in 2001. (continued)

Source: China View/4 April 2005/

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-04/04/content_2785595.htm

China To Launch "People's War" On Drugs

A Chinese senior official Monday vowed to launch a "people's war" against drugs, aiming at checking the sources of drugs, curbing the harmful influence of drug crimes and keeping the number of drug addicts from growing. "The nationwide campaign is to meet actual demand to deal with current tough situation of drug abuse in China, and is also a decisive strategy to win the initiative in fighting against drugs," said Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and State Councilor. Zhou, also minister of public security and director of the National Narcotics Control Commission, made the remarks at the commission's plenary meeting held here Monday. China made "major achievements" in drug control in 2004 with more cases solved and suspects arrested than in 2003, resulting in a large increase in the street price of narcotics, according to the commission. China cracked 98,000 drug-related cases in 2004, up 4.4 percent over the previous year, and seized 66,900 suspects, up 5.1 percent, according to statistics revealed at the meeting. Last year, China seized 10.8 tons of heroin in 2004, up 13.6 percent year-on-year; more than 3 million "head-shaking" pills, or ecstasy, an eight-fold increase; 2.7 tons of "ice" , down 52.9 percent; and 160 tons of chemicals for drug manufacture, up 119.8 percent. "Thanks to years of high-powered crackdowns, drugs have become more difficult to come by on the domestic market. (continued)

Source: China View/5 April 2005/

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-04/05/content_2786311.htm

Drug Crime Rise Sparks Calls For Crackdown

Rises in drug-related crimes and the number of addicts in the country lead to calls for a strengthened crackdown. A total of 66,900 suspects were arrested last year for committing drug-related crimes, rising 5.1 per cent over the year before. And there were 790,000 addicts by the end of 2004, up 6.8 per cent from 2003, said Zhang Xinfeng, vice-minister of public security and vice-director of the National Narcotics Control Commission. At a meeting of the commission yesterday, Minister of Public Security and Director of the commission Zhou Yongkang called for strengthened efforts to prevent people from becoming addicted, to cut off sources of narcotics both at home and abroad, and to crack down on drug-related crimes. Last year police solved 98,000 drug-related cases, including the production, trafficking and selling of drugs, up 4.4 per cent from 2003. Drops in solved cases But statistics from the commission indicate the number is just half of those in 1997 and 1998, which saw the largest recorded numbers of solved cases. Officials say the main cause of the drop is the increased fight against drug trafficking throughout the country. One of the key cases of last year was solved in June, when police acting on a tip-off in Dali, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, seized 501 kilograms of heroin, the largest seizure in a single case last year. Four suspects were arrested in the cross-border case. (continued)

Source: China Daily/Qin Chuan/5 April 2005/ http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-04/05/content_431066.htm

China Sounds Alarm As Drug Addiction Rises, Crime Fighting Ability Falls

China's law enforcers are sounding the alarm as new data shows the number of drug addicts is rising fast while crime-fighting capabilities are falling. China had 790,000 drug addicts at the end of last year, an increase of 6.8 percent from the year before, the China Daily said Tuesday, citing the National Narcotics Control Commission. "We must swiftly organize and launch a wide-ranging people's war on drugs," State Councilor Zhou Yongkang told a plenary meeting of the commission in Beijing, according to the Legal Daily. "We must resolutely check the sources of the drugs, and curb the harmful influence of drug crimes and keep the number of new drug users from growing," he was quoted as saying. Of great concern to the Chinese government, the increase in drug addiction was apparently not matched by improved skills in battling the crime, even though the anti-drug police force has gradually grown to 17,000 members. Chinese police last year solved 98,000 drug-related cases, an increase of 4.4 percent from 2003, but only half the number of cases solved in 1997 and 1998, the paper said. Meanwhile, 66,900 suspects were detained in drug-related cases last year, an increase of 5.1 percent, according to the report. "The situation for narcotics control in China is still serious," the paper said, citing Zhang Xinfeng, who is vice police minister and vice director of the narcotics commission. One of the main reasons for the worsening drug problem is the massive inflow of drugs across China's increasingly porous borders. (continued)

Source: Yahoo News/5 April 2005/ http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1530&ncid=731&e=4&u=/afp/20050405/wl_asia_afp/chinacrimedrugs

China's Drug Users On The Rise

China had 791,000 drug addicts at the end of 2004, up 6.8 percent from 2003, according to the National Narcotics Control Commission. Nearly 86 percent are addicted to heroin, but the number of people addicted to new kinds of drugs is increasing, according to statistics revealed at the commission's plenary meeting Monday. Young people, farmers and the unemployed are three major groups of China's drug addicts, according to the commission.

Source: People's Daily Online/5 April 2005/ http://english.people.com.cn/200504/05/eng20050405_179511.html

Drug Busts Up in 2004

China solved 98,000 drug-related cases in 2004, up 4.4 percent over the previous year, and seized 66,900 suspects, up 5.1 percent, the National Narcotics Control Commission announced at its plenary session on Monday. China seized 10.8 tons of heroin in 2004, up 13.6 percent year-on-year; more than 3 million ecstasy pills, an eight-fold increase; 2.7 tons of methamphetamine, down 52.9 percent; and 160 tons of chemicals for used in making drugs, up 119.8 percent. "Thanks to years of high-powered crackdowns, drugs have become more difficult to come by on the domestic market. Drug prices have risen significantly and the high incidence of drug-related crimes has generally been brought under control," said a commission official. However, the number of drug addicts rose 6.8 percent to 791,000 at the end of 2004. Nearly 86 percent were addicted to heroin, while the number of people addicted to new kinds of drugs was on the rise. Most drug addicts are young people, farmers or the unemployed. Nevertheless, the commission reported, the number of new drug addicts in the year went down 19.7 percent year-on-year to 22,000, while the number of rehabilitated addicts who have stayed clean for three years or more reached 88,000. The percentage of registered drug addicts below the age of 35 dropped to 70 percent as of the end of 2004 from 77 percent in 2001. (continued)

Source: China.org/5 April 2005/

http://china.org.cn/english/2005/Apr/124695.htm

Indonesia

Bali Drug Witness Is A Liar, Says Accused

The man accused of owning the marijuana found in alleged drug smuggler Schapelle Corby's boogie board bag yesterday denied using her as a "drug mule" in a trafficking syndicate. Ron Vigenser, named by prisoner John Patrick Ford at the 27-year-old beauty therapy student's trial in Bali on Tuesday, said he knew no baggage handlers and did not sell or smuggle drugs. Vigenser, 38, who has been jailed 11 times on some 150 convictions, has labelled Ford "a bloody liar". "I've never ever in my whole life, as a criminal and a drug user, I've never ever seen that much drugs in my life," he told the Nine Network's A Current Affair program. "I'm so sorry. I really wish I could help her but I don't know what this is all about." Ford told a Denpasar court he had overheard jail inmates named Terry and Paul talking about how Vigenser's shipment of marijuana had gone missing between Brisbane and Sydney last year. Vigenser was in jail with Ford in Melbourne but said he had talked to him maybe once. He was inside when Corby was caught and could not explain why Ford would accuse him. "I say to John Ford: 'You're the one who's going to have blood on your hands because you're coming up with these outrageous stories where they could have investigated the right story and maybe got this girl off."' A Current Affair reportedly paid $15,000 for the interview. (continued)

Source: Sydney Morning Herald/Jordan Baker/1 April 2005/ http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Bali-drug-witness-is-a-liar-says-accused/2005/03/31/1111862533912.html

Corby Shocked By Ford Testimony

Accused drug smuggler Schapelle Corby was left shocked and upset by evidence that she was the innocent victim of an Australian crime gang, a key supporter said today. Lawyers for the former Gold Coast beauty student on trial in Bali have been heartened by the evidence of Victorian remand prisoner John Ford, and by news Australian police are investigating an alleged drug ring in Australian airports. Ford told Denpasar District Court yesterday that he overheard two fellow prisoners laughing about how a crime boss's shipment of marijuana had gone missing between Brisbane and Sydney last year. He was certain the stash was the same 4.1kg of marijuana found in Corby's boogie board bag when she arrived at Bali airport last October. Ford told the court the drugs belonged to Ronnie Verganza. Mr Verganza has denied the claims. He will appear on Channel Nine's A Current Affair tomorrow night. But while encouraged by his testimony, 27-year-old Corby was devastated to hear an explanation of what might have put her in a Bali jail cell and at risk of execution by firing squad, said financial backer Ron Bakir. "She couldn't sit through listening to what actually happened to her for the first time," Bakir, a Gold Coast phone mogul told ABC radio after visiting Corby today in Bali's Kerobokan prison. "What's really getting her down is when Mr Ford said the other people were making a joke about who's going to get shot over it. That's really shocked her." (continued)

Source: Sydney Morning Herald/30 March 2005/ http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/03/30/1111862456801.html?from=top5

Corby Trial Forces Investigation Of Airport Security

Australian Federal Police are investigating possible gaps in airport security following claims of drug trafficking by a Victorian prisoner who gave evidence in support of Schapelle Corby in a Bali court. John Ford, a remand prisoner who gave evidence in the trial on Tuesday, said drugs were placed in the bodyboard bag of accused drug smuggler Corby without her knowledge by criminals involved in a drug-trafficking ring operating at Australian airports. Ford has provided the AFP with a statement The Justice Minister, Chris Ellison, said yesterday Ford's claims were being taken seriously. "The investigation that the Australian Federal Police is carrying out at the moment is one which would be looking at ... the allegation made by Mr Ford, which included that fact that baggage could be tampered with and that there could be an internal conspiracy in relation to our airports," he said. "Now that is of concern and the AFP are regarding this matter seriously and are continuing their investigations in conjunction with Queensland police." Corby, a Gold Coast beauty school student, is accused of trying to smuggle 4.1 kilograms of marijuana into Indonesia, after the drugs were found in her bodyboard bag at Bali's Denpasar Airport in October. The head of Qantas Group Security, Geoffrey Askew, was not available for comment yesterday but earlier this month told ABC TV that closed circuit cameras were not used in the behind-the-scenes domestic baggage handling area. "We're not in the business of spying on staff," he said. (continued)

Source: Sydney Morning Herald/Ellen Connolly/31 March 2005/ http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Corby-trial-forces-investigation-of-airport-security/2005/03/30/1111862464366.html

Criminologist Convinced Corby Is Innocent

A leading Queensland criminologist says he is convinced Gold Coast woman Schapelle Corby is innocent of the drug smuggling charges she is facing in Indonesia. Professor Paul Wilson has just returned from giving evidence at Ms Corby's trial in Bali. Ms Corby is facing a possible death sentence after four kilograms of marijuana were found in her bag at Denpasar airport last October. Her trial has heard claims the drugs were put in her bag without her knowledge and Professor Wilson says that is plausible. "She doesn't have any of the characteristics, she's got no criminal record whatsoever, no juvenile record, the only record she's got is for a parking fine," Mr Wilson said. "She's got no history of drug taking whatsoever, they tested her and there was no drugs in her system whatsoever."

Source: ABC News Online/30 March 2005/ http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200503/1334026.htm?queensland

Keep Believing In Me: Schapelle

SCHAPELLE Corby sent a heartfelt message to her fellow Australians from her Bali prison cell yesterday. "I want the Australian public to keep believing in me because I have done nothing wrong and I want to thank the Australian public for their support because, without their support, I would be dead already," she said. After her most traumatic day yet in court yesterday, the 27-year-old was visited in jail by family, friends and her legal team, who are concerned for her emotional wellbeing as the case draws to a close. Still emotional, Corby asked Gold Coast mobile phone entrepreneur Ron Bakir, who is now bankrolling her defence, to deliver the message to Australians for her. Mr Bakir said he feared Corby was losing hope but she was buoyed by the belief Australians were behind her in her bid to be declared innocent of drug smuggling charges, which carry the death penalty. "She says she can't handle it in here [jail] any more," Mr Bakir said after his visit. And in what could be seen as a boost for Corby and her legal team, the Chief Judge in charge of her case revealed yesterday that some parts of prisoner John Patrick Ford's testimony would be used in considering their decision. Judge Linton Sirait told The Daily Telegraph he could not comment publicly on the judges' current thinking about Corby's guilt or innocence but the prisoner's evidence would form part of their decision. (continued)

Source: The Advertiser/Cindy Wockner/31 March 2005/ http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,12709158%255E421,00.html

Key Corby Witness Back In Jail

THE Victorian prisoner who gave evidence in the Bali court case against accused drug smuggler Schapelle Corby has been returned to jail in Melbourne. Justice Minister Chris Ellison said today prisoner John Patrick Ford had been escorted by Victorian authorities on a flight from Denpasar late last night and arrived back in Melbourne early today. He said Mr Ford was immediately taken back to prison. Ms Corby, a Gold Coast beauty school student, is accused of trying to smuggle 4.1kg of marijuana into Indonesia, after the drugs were found in her boogie board bag at Bali's Denpasar airport last October.

Source: Herald Sun/31 March 2005/ http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,12711790%255E661,00.html

Man Denies Corby Drugs Link

Melbourne man Ronnie Verganza has been left shattered after a Bali court was told he was linked to a drug stash allegedly planted on Schapelle Corby. Mr Verganza, 38, whom prisoner John Patrick Ford claimed owned the 4.1 kg of marijuana found in Corby's bodyboard bag, said he had nothing to do with any drug ring, a Melbourne newspaper reported. He said he was just trying to get his life back together after getting out of jail six weeks ago, the newspaper said. When interviewed on Tuesday night, Mr Verganza's wallet contained $4.55 in change, a Medicare card, a pension card and a video store card. "Have a look around - do I look like a drug lord?" the newspaper quoted him as asking. "I don't know what I could have done to this fella (Mr Ford). He's named me as the man who financed the whole deal, and I don't even have a bank account." Mr Verganza said he was in jail when Corby, a Queensland beauty school student, was arrested at Denpasar airport in Bali. He said he had no involvement with Corby or anyone associated with her. The newspaper reported that Mr Verganza recognised Mr Ford from Port Phillip Prison where he used to serve the food, but said he had never spoken to him. Corby faces a possible death sentence if found guilty by an Indonesian court of smuggling drugs into the country. Pleading innocent, she says someone planted the drugs in her unlocked bodyboard bag.

Source: The Age/30 March 2005/

http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Man-denies-Corby-drugs-link/2005/03/30/1111862426197.html

Man In Corby Case Paid For Story: Report

A Channel Nine current affairs program paid a Melbourne man named in Schapelle Corby's Indonesian drugs case $15,000 for an interview, it was reported. The Herald Sun newspaper said Ronnie Verganza had signed a contract with A Current Affair. Victorian prisoner John Ford told a Bali court this week that Mr Verganza owned the 4.1 kg of marijuana found in a boogie board bag owned by Corby, a Gold Coast beauty school student facing drug smuggling charges. Ford told Denpasar District Court he overheard two fellow prisoners laughing about how a crime boss's shipment of marijuana had gone missing between Brisbane and Sydney last year. He was certain the stash was the same 4.1 kg of marijuana found in Corby's boogie board bag when she arrived at Bali airport last October. Facing a possible death sentence if convicted, Corby says she is innocent and that the drugs were put into the bag by someone else. Mr Verganza has not been charged and has denied any involvement. A Current Affair showed an excerpt of a story on Mr Verganza on Wednesday. Today Tonight host Naomi Robson said the Seven network had spoken to Mr Verganza and rejected his offer of an interview for $15,000. Nine spokesman Jamie Campbell told the newspaper the network did not discuss whether or not people were paid for interviews.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald/31 March 2005/ http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Man-in-Corby-case-paid-for-story-reports/2005/03/31/1111862488006.html

Nine Offered Cash To Crim

THE Victorian Government will let police decide whether to prosecute a criminal for profiting from his paid interview on the Schapelle Corby drugs case, state Attorney-General Rob Hulls said today. The Channel 9 program A Current Affair has reportedly paid Melbourne man Ron Vigenser - who has been named in a Bali court as being linked to a drug consignment allegedly planted on Ms Corby - $15,000 for an interview. The program signed the contract with Vigenser, who estimates he has about 150 convictions, the Herald Sun reported. Commenting on the case today, Mr Hulls said Victoria had tightened its legislation to confiscate assets from criminals who later profited from crimes. "I'm not aware of whether or not a particular person is profiting from a particular crime but that would be a matter for the police," he said. "Under the new asset confiscation legislation the police have very wide powers. "That would be a matter for the police and ultimately for the (Director of Public Prosecutions)." Mr Hulls said he did not know the details of the Vigenser interview, and the police were the appropriate people to investigate whether there had been a breach of the legislation. Victorian prisoner John Ford told a Bali court that Vigenser owned the 4.1kg of marijuana found in a boogieboard bag owned by Ms Corby. Vigenser has not been charged and has denied his involvement. Today Tonight host Naomi Robson said Channel 7 had spoken to Vigenser but rejected his offer of an interview for $15,000. (continued)

Source: Courier Mail/31 March 2005/ http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,12706626%255E421,00.html

Ribbon Idea To Support Corby Trial

Family and friends are using a hit song from the 1970s to show their support for Schapelle Corby, who is facing drugs charges in Indonesia. They are asking Australians to tie yellow ribbons around trees and letter boxes to show their support for the Queensland woman. Ms Corby has been accused of taking more than four kilograms of marijuana into Bali and could face the death penalty if she is found guilty. She has denied any wrongdoing. Her Brisbane-based aunt Julie-Anne Caplice says another relative came up with the idea. "When I mentioned it to the woman in the fabric store at Capalaba, where I bought it, she was so overcome, she just gave it to me," Ms Caplice said. "She said to her husband cut off half a metre and give it to her and she said I'm going to do that too and that's what people are starting to say to me, 'what can we do', and if they want to tie a bright yellow ribbon around a tree, that would be fantastic."

Source: ABC News Online/31 March 2005/ http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200503/1335164.htm?queensland

Drug Laws Are Draconian

It always struck me as strange that the drug laws in South East Asia are so draconian when measured against the paltry punishments for other crimes that appear to the casual observer to be far more destructive. To impose the death penalty for smuggling marijuana, a plant which is readily grown throughout South East Asia, seems a grossly misplaced priority. Other far more pernicious activities, such as human trafficking, forced prostitution, illegal logging, poaching of endangered species, gross violations of human rights, and the religious fanaticism that manifests itself in horrific acts of terrorism, seem to earn little more than a slap on the wrist. To put it bluntly (no pun intended) from an outsider's perspective, the sentencing of a cleric with close ties to a fanatical and murderous terrorist group, which planned the indiscriminate slaughter of many young men and women, causing incalculable loss to the important tourist industries of Indonesia, to three years in prison is scandalous. To compare that to a possible death sentence for an Australian woman for carrying three pounds of marijuana, however reckless that act appears, is to move into the realms of absurdity. Furthermore, in certain areas of Indonesia it is perfectly legal to sell psychedelic mushrooms and I would assume there are other psychtropic substances in other areas that are similarly unregulated. Whether or not these substances are allowed as traditional medicines, they may certainly be more hazardous than marijuana. (continued)

Source: Jakarta Post/A. GALLI, New York/30 March 2005/ http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaileditorial.asp?fileid=20050330.F07&irec=6

Sutiyoso Blames Law Enforcers For Drugs

Governor Sutiyoso accused law enforcers on Wednesday of turning a blind eye to drug dealing in the capital, leading to rampant drug abuse, especially among the young. "It does not make sense that law enforcers say they cannot arrest the drug dealers, but some of these dealers are operating right in front of their very noses," Sutiyoso said on the sidelines of a workshop on preventing drug abuse in major cities in the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) region. The workshop was held at the Borobudur Hotel in Central Jakarta. Sutiyoso cast doubt over just how serious law enforcers were about dealing with this problem. "I already proved just how widespread drug dealing is here by arresting a suspected dealer in a discotheque," he said, recalling a 2001 incident at a bar in the Lokasari entertainment complex. There are an estimated 10,000 injecting drug users (IDUs) in Jakarta. These drug users face higher risks of contracting HIV by sharing needles. An official report showed that as of Dec. 31, the capital had the highest recorded number of people living with HIV/AIDS at 2,505, or 45 percent of the officially reported 5,540 cases of HIV/AIDS nationwide. Sutiyoso emphasized that law enforcers, especially the police, played a vital role in fighting the sale and use of drugs. "The situation is very alarming. We all must make drug dealers our common enemy. Otherwise, we will see the loss of the next generation because drug dealers target teenagers and children," he said. (continued)

Source: Jakarta Post/Damar Harsanto/1 April 2005/

http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailcity.asp?fileid=20050331.G01&irec=0

Laos-Indonesia Drug Control Meeting

THE Lao government's policies and activities are geared up to meet the ASEAN goal to be drug-free by 2015, and it will be free from opium poppy cultivation by the middle of this year, said a senior drug control official. Senior Lao officials for drug control, the Indonesian Ambassador and senior officials of the Indonesian National Narcotics Board on Monday attended the first Bilateral Meeting on Drug Control Cooperation between Laos and Indonesia in Vientiane. The meeting will close on Thursday, and is a successor to an agreement on cooperation in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals between the two governments, signed in Indonesia in January 2003. "This meeting will strengthen the existing good relations between our two countries and our two institutions, and will evaluate the drug control cooperation and other drug-related issues and set guidelines for future cooperation," said Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC) Permanent Secretariat Head Linthong Phetsavan. He said that over the last few years, Laos had been trying to eliminate opium poppy cultivation and was faced with widespread abuse of methamphetamine, which has become a great concern for the government. The government has taken measures, including a nationwide campaign against drugs and the encouragement sports activities, to try to keep the younger generation away from drugs, said Linthong. "We will discuss future cooperation between our two countries against drugs, and Indonesia has agreed to cooperate regularly in exchanging documents and visits by senior officials, to discuss improved methods," he said. (continued)

Source: Vientiane Times/Panyasith Thammavongsa/30 March 2005/ http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/Contents/2005-62/Laos-Indionesia.htm

Last Line Of Defence

Schapelle Corby looked on this week as the man who may hold her fate in his hands gave evidence that raised as many questions as it answered. Neil McMahon reports. She must know by now what is in store, but it doesn't help. Schapelle Corby steps from the prison van and there in her face, so close she could lean forward and touch it with her nose, is a wall of cameras, six or seven lenses wide, all hoping for the money shot: Schapelle in tears. They get it. She doesn't push them away, or swear, or rob them, like Lindy once did, with a bugger-the-lot-of-you stare. She raises her hands to her face, and weeps. "Help me, help me," she says. The Indonesian guards grip her closer and inch forward through the scrum. It seems someone will get hurt because there are four people walking forward and about 20 walking blindly backwards. And when a reporter shouts out, "Schapelle, would you like to thank John Ford for testifying for you today?" no one seriously expects an answer because it is all anyone can do to keep moving and stay upright. And besides, she is still crying. It seems longer, but it only takes a minute and a half. She is in the holding cell. Safe. Which gives you some idea of how surreal the world of Schapelle Corby has become, because also in the cell are a dozen or so other prisoners. (continued)

Source: The Age/Neil McMahon/2 April 2005/ http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2005/04/01/1112302236697.html

Twisted Hand Of Fate

SCHAPELLE Corby really didn't want to catch the Australian Airlines flight to Bali last October. But timing conspired against her. It was the second anniversary of the Bali terrorist bombings and all seats on Garuda, the airline she had flown with on previous trips to Bali, were booked for three months in advance, even in first class. So keen was she to avoid the flight, she waited for three weeks before confirming her seat, waiting to see if a cancellation could get her on Garuda. But no one cancelled and fate saw her on Qantas, then Australian Airlines, flying from Brisbane for a 3 1/2-hour stopover in Sydney before going to Bali. Recounting this recently to the three solemn, robed men sitting in judgment of her, the 27-year-old's voice cracked with emotion as she recalled the series of events which put her on a plane she did not want to catch. All she wanted to do was take a holiday from her job in the family's fish and chip shop and from caring for her sick father, Michael, for probably the last time before his cancer became so advanced that he would need her constantly. Instead, she has found herself in a Bali jail cell, accused of a crime she steadfastly denies and which could result in a death sentence. She is charged with smuggling 4.1kg of high-quality marijuana into a nation which does not look kindly on drug traffickers. (continued)

Source: The Advertiser/CINDY WOCKNER/2 April 2005/ http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,12729236%255E911,00.html

Corby Lawyer Pessimistic

SCHAPELLE Corby's Indonesian lawyer is pessimistic about her client's chances of being acquitted on drug-smuggling charges, saying the evidence heard at her trial might not be hard enough to clear the Gold Coast woman. "She has big hopes (of being released) but I believe all of the evidence we have brought to the court could only get a slighter punishment for her," Lely Sri Rahayu Lubis said. "In the prosecutor's mind the drugs were in her bag. She admitted it (the bag) was hers and the claim tag was under her name, so it is clear (for the prosecutors that) she committed the crime. "Everything now depends on the judges: If they believe from our evidence that she did not do it, they can release her." Ms Lubis issued the warning just days before Ms Corby's trial before a Bali court enters its final phase. Meanwhile, Ms Corby's cancer-stricken father arrived in Bali today and visited her in the island's notorious Kerobokan prison. He fears the health of his 27-year-old daughter is deteriorating rapidly from the stress of being behind bars and facing the prospect of either execution by firing squad or a long prison sentence. This is a crucial time for Ms Corby, Ms Lubis said. According to Indonesian law, the defence needed to identify "somebody who owns the marijuana and who has no connection with Schapelle", she said.. "That's the only strong evidence that could release Schapelle," she said. (continued)

Source: Herald Sun/Marian Carroll/4 April 2005/ http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,12751892%255E401,00.html

Corby Suicide Fears Force Sick Father To Dash To Bali

Schapelle Corby's cancer-stricken father will fly to Bali in the next 48 hours after receiving fresh family reports that his daughter is suicidal. Michael Corby is clinging to the hope his unannounced arrival in Indonesia might give his daughter the vital lift she needs to cope with prison life until May when her court verdict is expected. In his first full interview, he told The Sun-Herald from his home on the Gold Coast: "My daughter's health is deteriorating and the rest of the family out there need a break. They are struggling badly." Mr Corby, who is battling prostate cancer, plans to raise his daughter's spirits by handing her a special photograph from her childhood days. The picture shows Corby excited at meeting Father Christmas for the first time with her two young cousins. "I found it while I was packing and the moment she sees it, I know it's going to light up her face. She has such a beautiful smile, and this will bring it back." Mr Corby, a retired coalminer, remains adamant his 27-year-old daughter is the innocent victim of a domestic drug trafficking ring. In October last year, he kissed her goodbye as she left for a flight bound for Bali. The journey was supposed to lead to a tropical vacation with friends and family. But six months on, her life hangs in the balance after 4.1 kilograms of marijuana was found by Denpasar airport officials stashed inside her bodyboard bag. (continued)

Source: Sydney Morning Herald/Eamonn Duff/3 April 2005/ http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Corby-suicide-fears-force-sick-father-to-dash-to-Bali/2005/04/02/1112302288630.html

Fight To Save Corby From Death

THE Federal Government would "go into overdrive" to prevent accused drug trafficker Schapelle Corby being put to death if she were convicted by an Indonesian Court, Justice Minister Chris Ellison said yesterday. Australia and Indonesia already have a prisoner transfer arrangement and Senator Ellison foreshadowed a concerted attempt to repatriate Corby – who has strenuously denied charges against her – if she were found guilty. "If there is a finding of guilt, then of course we'll be looking at a transfer of prisoner agreement with Indonesia, which we're doing anyway," Senator Ellison told Channel 10. "If a death penalty was imposed, then of course the Government makes very strong representations in that regard. I am not going to pre-empt any outcomes but I can tell you what the Government's policy is in relation to any sentence relating to the death penalty and that is we go into overdrive in making representations to avoid (the death penalty) being carried out." In February, Prime Minister John Howard appealed to Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to spare the life of Melbourne man Nguyen Tuong Van, who lost an appeal last October against his conviction and mandatory death sentence for drug trafficking. Corby, 27, of the Gold Coast, has denied any involvement with the marijuana found in her boogie board bag last October. A key witness last week told Denpasar District Court Corby had been caught in an Australian airport drug smuggling operation. (continued)

Source: The Advertiser/BRONWYN HURRELL/3 April 2005/ http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,12747686%255E911,00.html

Corby's Plight Raised Indirectly By PM

The plight of accused Australian drug smuggler Schapelle Corby had been raised indirectly with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Prime Minister John Howard has said. Mr Howard said it would have been inappropriate to directly raise Ms Corby's case with the Indonesian leader during talks in Parliament House. But Attorney-General Philip Ruddock raised issues surrounding Corby's trial during the meeting, Mr Howard said. Corby, 27, from the Gold Coast, faces the death penalty in Bali if found guilty of attempting to smuggle 4.1kg of marijuana into Indonesia. Mr Howard and other cabinet ministers held talks with Dr Yudhoyono on Monday during the Indonesian leader's first visit to Australia. "Not in a direct sense because that would be inappropriate, quite inappropriate," Mr Howard told Sydney radio 2GB when asked if he had raised Corby's case. "She's still before a court and quite properly, if a foreign leader came to Australia and asked me to do something about the outcome of a trial in this country, I would say `Well it's not my place to do that because the courts are independent'. "We did, however, in discussion, have the attorney-general raise the question of some general issues relating to the operation of the mutual assistance treaty under which that witness was sent to Indonesia and also some other related matters. "I think that was the appropriate thing to do." (continued)

Source: Seven News/5 April 2005/

http://seven.com.au/news/topstories/175502

Dad's Visit Gives Boost To Corby

SCHAPELLE Corby's father Michael yesterday made an emotional visit to his daughter in Bali's Kerobokan jail. It was the first time Mr Corby, who has terminal cancer, has seen his daughter in about three months. After his visit he said both father and daughter had tried hard to keep it together. "It cracks me up to see her like that," Mr Corby said outside the prison. "I can see the pressure is getting to her. "It is getting down to the nitty-gritty of it now. She was trying hard. "She is strong, but me, I'm not. She's not feeling too well at the moment," he said, referring to the fact that her drug smuggling trial is now entering its critical final stages. Mr Corby, from Queensland's Gold Coast, plans to remain in Bali for several weeks to spend time with his daughter. Ms Corby's mother, Ros, older sister, Mercedes, and younger sister, Meleane, are also in Bali and all visited the jail yesterday. Mr Corby's visit comes as her lawyers say they expect Bali prosecutors on Thursday to demand that the 27-year-old be given the death penalty. In what is known as a demand, prosecutor IB Wiswantanu will sum up the case against Ms Corby on Thursday and will tell the judges what sentence the prosecution believes she should receive. Legal experts say that as an unofficial guide the judges normally do not deliver a sentence that is lower than one-third of what prosecutors demand. (continued)

Source: Herald Sun/Cindy Wockner/5 April 2005/ http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,12755008%255E662,00.html

Death Penalty Bad News For Corby: Amnesty International

Indonesia has recently resumed its use of the death penalty in a move that does not bode well for accused Australian drug trafficker Schapelle Corby, Amnesty International(AI) has warned. The human rights organisation's anti-death penalty network coordinator Tim Goodwin said while countries were gradually moving away from capital punishment, the world's largest Muslim nation had abruptly resumed executions last year. Since then four people have been put to death in relatively quick succession, he said. "They had not executed somebody in a couple of years and before that there was a gap back to 1996 or something like that," Brisbane-based Mr Goodwin told AAP. "The resumption is definitely a worrying sign." Corby is on trial for her life after customs officers found 4.1kg of marijuana in her boogie board bag at Bali's Denpasar airport last October. The 27-year-old Gold Coast beauty therapy student has repeatedly expressed her innocence but, if found guilty, she could face death by firing squad. Australian Justice Minister Chris Ellison has vowed to fight to spare Corby's life and to possibly repatriate her to Australia under existing transfer-of-prisoner agreements. Prime Minister John Howard has also become personally involved by indirectly raising the matter with visiting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. "I feel for her, I feel for her family, I feel for anybody - guilty or innocent - in a situation like that, obviously far more if they're innocent," he said. (continued)

Source: Seven News/Alex Murdoch/5 April 2005/ http://seven.com.au/news/nationalnews/175608

Yudhoyono Promises 'Just' Result For Corby

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, moved close to tears by meeting the families of Australian troops who perished in Indonesia, has vowed to champion Australia's cause to the rest of Asia. The President promised to toughen his counter-terrorism fight - and ensure a just and acceptable result in the Schapelle Corby drug-smuggling trial. In his only Australian media interview, Dr Yudhoyono told The Age that Australia should sign a friendship treaty with Asian nations prohibiting the use of force against each other. Indonesia would push for Australia's inclusion in a planned East Asian Summit - which could form a new regional power structure - at a meeting in Manila next week, he said. Asked about the controversial possibility of Corby, the Gold Coast beauty student facing the death penalty for allegedly smuggling 4.1 kilograms of marijuana into Bali, Dr Yudhoyono said he had to respect the independence of the legal process. "While we have to respect the court in proceeding this case, the decisions of the court must be just, must be well accepted by all sides," he said. "I will watch closely to make sure that justice is there, because it is important that justice is upheld and think everybody in Australia and Indonesia will watch that kind of fairness and justice." Dr Yudhoyono said he was saddened and touched by consoling, one by one, the families of the nine Australians who died in last Saturday's helicopter crash on Nias Island while aiding earthquake victims. (continued)

Source: The Age/Mark Forbes, Tony Parkinson/6 April 2005/ http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Yudhoyono-promises-just-result-for-Corby/2005/04/05/1112489491898.html

Laos

Laos-Indonesia Drug Control Meeting

Source: Vientiane Times/Panyasith Thammavongsa/30 March 2005/ http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/Contents/2005-62/Laos-Indionesia.htm

Vietnamese, Lao Police Nab Drug Trafficking Ring Leader

The police in central Nghe An province and their Vientiane counterparts have arrested Tran Van Hoi, the ringleader of a trans-national drug trafficking ring operating in Laos, Thailand and Viet Nam. Hoi, who was born in 1972 in Hung Nguyen district of central Nghe An province, was seized in Vientiane together with two accomplices, Nguyen Van Ket from central Quang Tri province and Le Thanh Hung from Nghe An province. Previous investigation showed the ring had smuggled 5,500 cakes of heroin into Viet Nam on 18 journeys since 2001. Prior to 2001, HCM City and Nghe An police had already issued warrants for the arrest of Tran Van Hoi for involvement in drug trafficking. He had avoided capture by changing his identity and shelter many times.

Source: Vietnam News Agency/30 March 2005/ http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=29&NEWS_ID=144875

Steer Clear Of Drugs Through Sports

ENGAGING youths in sports is one effective way to keep them away from drugs, that is why the US Embassy in Laos has donated a number of sports items to the Vientiane Capital Education Sector recently. Worth a total of 61,740,000 kip, these items included two loudspeakers, 123 soccer balls, 97 volleyballs and 33 volleyball nets, 158 rattan balls and 34 nets, 9 basketballs and three basketball nets, 60 whistles, four CD players, one speaker, two tables for table tennis, four table tennis rackets and two nets. Mr David J Wise, Head of the Drug Suppression and Criminal Sector of the US Embassy, presented the items to Mr Saythong Keodouangdy, Head of Vientiane Capital Education Sector, on 29 March. The items would be given to the Anti-drug Committees in 12 schools and 26 villages in the capital later on. The US Embassy hopes that these items would come in useful when the schools plan sporting activities for their students.

Source: Lao News Agency/1 April 2005/

http://www.kplnet.net/English/News6.htm

Drug Smugglers Arrested

THE Lao drug prevention police on March 28 arrested three Vietnamese drug dealers in a Vientiane guesthouse in possession of 90g of heroin, 25 amphetamine tablets and heroin compression equipment. The Public Security Ministry's Police Drug Prevention Department received a message from Interpol warning them about the activity of Vietnamese drug dealers in Laos and Thailand. The Lao drug prevention police then closely watched the gang members and at 3.30pm on March 28 they arrested Mr Tram Van Hoi, 33, of Hung Nguyen district, Nghe An province; Mr Ngyen Van Ket, 25, of Vinh Quang Tri province; and Mr Le Thenh, 30, of Hung Huug Xau district, Nghe An province. Information from Vietnam claimed that since 2001, this gang had imported a total of 5,500 bars of heroin into Vietnam. These three drug dealers were handed over to the Vietnamese police on March 29 at the Laos-Vietnam border checkpoint at Nam Phao, Khamkeut district, Borikhamxay province

Source: Vientiane Times/4 April 2005/

http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/Contents/2005-65/Drug.htm

Oudomsay’s Opium Addicts To Undergo Rehabilitation

OUDOMSAY province’s Public Health Service has received new budget to rehabilitate the 3,088 opium addicts remaining in the province. The activities planned include educating the opium addicts on the dangers of their habit, helping them kick off the habits, as well as eradicating opium plantation in the province. Already, Oudomsay has been sparing no effort in eradicating the opium problem. The Public Health Service had in the past rehabilitated opium addicts in KM32 Village in Say district, which benefited some 157 addicts. Oudomsay is hopeful that the province will be declare opium-free by 2006.

Source: Lao News Agency/4 April 2005/

http://www.kplnet.net/English/News6.htm

Drug Smugglers Arrested

DRUG officials arrested three smugglers at the Lao-Vietnam checkpoint in Namphao, which is 20km from Borikhamsay province. The three, all Vietnamese, are Mr Cheun Van Hol, 33, from Hung Nguyen district in Nghe An province, Mr Ngyen Van Ket, 27, from Vinh Quang Tri, and Mr Le Tinanh, 30, from Hung Huug Xau district in Nghe An province. The officials seized 90 kg of heroin and an assortment of 25 pills. The offenders have since been handed over to the Vietnamese authorities. Of late, drug officials from Laos, Thailand and Vietnam have been on the alert to drug traffickers at the border checkpoints.

Source: Lao News Agency/5 April 2005/

http://www.kplnet.net/English/News12.htm

Malaysia

Malaysian Arrested In International Drug Bust

The police Tuesday claimed to have busted an international drug smuggling racket with the arrest of a Malaysian passenger who was allegedly trying to smuggle heroin out of India. According to the Mumbai airport police, the Malaysian passenger was trying to board an Emirates flight to Dubai carrying heroin worth Rs.30 million ($685,000) in the false bottom of a suitcase. The passenger's name was not released. Police sources said they had maintained a vigil at the airport following a tip-off. International smugglers are known to bring in synthetic drugs like LSD and cocaine for sale in India and take heroin for the international markets.

Source: KN Times/30 March 2005/ http://www.kntimes.com/final/large35.asp?status=100&newsid=313

Girl Who Tried To Evade Arrest By Discarding Syabu Bag

A 17-year-old girl tried to dodge arrest by anti-narcotics policemen during an operation at the Kinarut Settlement Scheme Tuesday. District Police Chief, DSP Mender Singh, said the girl panicked on noticing the policemen and threw away a plastic bag as she tried to flee on foot. But police led by Chief Insp. Harold caught up with her. In the bag was 20 small packets containing suspected Syabu weighing about 1.5gm, he said. The girl from Keningau is being held to facilitate further investigations. Also in the 10am operation, police detained three males after urine tests indicated they were positive for drugs. Two of the men, both 23, are believed to have come to the settlement for the purpose of buying and using the drugs, he said. Their identification document stated that they resided in Kota Kinabalu. One of the men was a waiter in a hotel while the other was a labourer. The other detainee tested positive for drugs was a 21-year-old male Bajau Filipino who also could not produce any valid documents, he said. Meanwhile, a 53-year-old mother lodged a report on Tuesday, stating that her son stole cash amounting to RM200 and a Compact Disc player from her house. Mender said the complainant realised the matter on Monday and lodged a report the next day. Efforts are under way to locate the suspect.

Source: Daily Express/31 March 2005/ http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=33592

High Number Of Addicts In City: Mayor

City Hall is doing its part in ridding the city of drugs and creating awareness on the dire effects with the formation of the Kota Kinabalu Anti-Dadah Action Committee (MTMD). The committee consists of 14 governmental departments and agencies, which among others include the police, who are the frontliners in combating drugs while the statutory bodies would help in creating awareness amongst their workforce and the public. Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim, who is Chairman of the committee, said it should focus on sending the right messages across to the people to help reduce the drug problem. Despite being aware of places that are popular with drug abuse he said, the committee should put more effort in identifying those that had gone undetected. "We know where the black areas are. Many raids have been conducted on these areas especially by police, but it seems that it is still continuing. "We should obtain more information on how to combat drugsÉfind out where the hotspots for drugs are such as (and other than) Segama, Sinsuran, Sembulan and Menggatal, among others," he said at MTMD's inaugural meeting at his office, Tuesday. Also present were City Police Chief, ACP Azizan Abu Taat, National Anti-Dadah Agency Senior Drugs Rehabilitation Officer, Sarif Kamaludin and City Hall Director-General who is also Kota Kinabalu PEMADAM Chairman, Dr Chua Kim Heng. Iliyas was deeply concerned with complaints from the public regarding the high number of addicts in the city. (continued)

Source: Daily Express/30 March 2005/ http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=33564

Ministry Denies Drugs Available At Centres

THERE is no truth to claims that drugs are widely available at drug rehabilitation centres nationwide, said the Internal Security Ministry. The ministry's parliamentary secretary, Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop, said in actual fact, there were only attempts to smuggle in banned substances into the centres. "The allegations are false. What happened recently was that some people smuggled in non-drug items like tobacco, alcohol and equipment to manufacture samsu," he told Hashim Jahaya (BN-Kuala Kedah). He said the items were probably smuggled in by the inmates' during the course of their community work. As a result, the management of the centres, together with the police had take action to ensure that they are free from drugs and other banned items. Abu Seman said the drug situation in the country is under control and this was proven when the authorities arrested 69,805 drug traffickers from 2003 to February this year. He said the drug menace could not be completely eradicated due to the country's geographical location. He said Malaysia is near the Golden Triangle of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. "Due to our strategic location, Malaysia often becomes the transit point for drugs bound for East Asian and Oceania countries." He said although strict checks were conducted at the country's main entry and exit points, Malaysia's vast and lengthy coastal boundaries made it difficult for security personnel to cover.

Source: New Straits Times/31 March 2005/ http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/NST32293540.txt/Article/indexb_html

Ministry Scoffs At No Firm Action Claim To Curb Drug Addiction

The Internal Security Ministry Wednesday denied claims no firm action was taken to stem drug addiction and distribution in the country, including at drug rehabilitation centres. Its Parliamentary Secretary Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop said drug distribution was under control with the arrests and strict enforcement by the authorities. Nevertheless, he said, drugs-related problems cannot be rid off totally in view of Malaysia's location close to the Golden Triangle drug production area and its "vast and open" border rendering drug smuggling and trafficking difficult to be controlled and to be prevented completely. Speaking to reporters at Parliament lobby, Abu Seman said 638 drug traffickers were sentenced to death between 1975 and 2003. Drug traffickers' arrests under the Dangerous Drugs Act had increased over the past three years, he said, adding that 23,100 of them were detained in 2002, 24,794 in 2003 and 33,189 last year. He said arrests of drug pushers had dropped by 3.5 per cent between 2003 and last year from 2,110 to 2,036 following action taken against many for drug possession. "However, drug trafficking and distribution are still going on due to human beings' lust for money," he said. On drugs' supply to drug rehabilitation centres, Abu Seman said there were only minor cases of attempts to bring in prohibited items like tobacco and samsu-making ingredients. "These items are brought in by the inmates themselves who go in and out of the centres and sometimes when they participate in community programmes outside," he added.

Source: Bernama/30 March 2005/

http://www3.bernama.com/

Drop In Kudat Drug Cases

The district recorded a decrease in the number of drug cases and arrests last year compared to 2003. District Police Chief, DSP Saiman Kasran, said 75 drug-related arrests and 30 seizures were made last year compared to 128 arrests and 41 seizures in 2003. He said the number of arrests under Section 6(1) of the Addiction Act (R&P) 1998 also decreased to 39 last year from 58 in 2003. "Under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, a total of 14 arrests were made last year," he added. On drug seizures, Saiman said a total of 6.4 grammes were seized last year compared to 3.92 grammes in 2003.

Source: Daily Express/1 April 2005/ http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=33612

Newlyweds Among Five Held For Drug Trafficking

A young couple’s four months of wedded bliss is about to end as they are now facing the gallows for suspected involvement in drug trafficking. The husband and wife, aged 25 and 21 respectively, from here, are expected to be charged together with three other men aged between 25 and 30, after they were caught in three separate operations in Simpang Kuala, here and in Sungai Petani on Tuesday. Also seized in the raids were 42 packets of heroin weighing 186 grammes and 6.3kg of ganja valued at RM25,800, a Perodua Kancil, a motorcycle and RM1,050 cash. Kedah acting Narcotics Police chief Deputy Superintendent Wan Azmy Wan Hashim said the group was believed to be part of a distribution ring in Alor Star and Sungai Petani for the past few months. He said the first raid netted two men, aged 25 and 26 respectively, at a petrol station in Sungai Petani at 1.53am, and six ganja packets worth RM13,200 inside their Perodua Kancil. Investigations led them to a house in Kampung Baru Sungai Bujang in Bedong, near Merbok, where they found 300 grammes ganja inside it and arrested a 21-year old housewife there. “The 25-year-old man was a pasar malam trader and married to the woman for only four months while the 26- year-old man who worked as a tow truck operator, was their friend,” he said, adding that the trio were remanded until April 11. (continued)

Source: Malay Mail/1 April 2005/ http://www.mmail.com.my/Current_News/MM/Friday/National/20050401090210/Article/index_html

Woman Charged Over Opium Find

A MALAYSIAN woman arrested at Brisbane international airport has been charged with attempting to bring drugs into Australia illegally. Australian Customs said officers allegedly found a 5kg block of a black tarry substance in her baggage when she arrived at Sydney airport from Malaysia last Sunday. The woman was allowed to go, but the block, which was wrapped in tape, was sent for a forensic examination, which confirmed it was opium resin, officials said. A customs spokesman said the woman was arrested as she was preparing to leave the country through Brisbane airport on Friday, and she appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday charged with importing a prohibited import. The woman was remanded in custody to appear the Downing Centre Court in Sydney tomorrow.

Source: The Advertiser/3 April 2005/ http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,12741509%255E1702,00.html

Build More Drug Rehab Centres To Tackle Drug Addiction, Govt Told

A deputy minister urged the government to set up more drug rehabilitation centres to treat and rehabilitate drug addicts in efforts to address the drug addiction menace. Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakar, who made the suggestion, also proposed to review existing drug-related policies to deal with the drug scourge which was the country's No 1 enemy. "We have 28 drug rehabilitation centres which can take in only 10,000 addicts whilst the number of drug dependants was far more than that. "Therefore, new rehabilitation centres have to be opened," he said when speaking at the "Debat Perdana" programme aired live by RTM Sunday night. Abdul Rahman and three other panellists discussed the topic entitled "Malaysia Drug-Free By 2015 - Can It Be Achieved?". PAS Central Committee member Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Cameron Highlands Member of Parliament S. K. Devamani and DAP assemblyman for Pasir Pinji in Perak Su Keong Siong were the other speakers. The discussions were moderated by columnist and former Utusan Melayu Group editor-in-chief Datuk Johan Jaaffar. Su said building more rehabilitation centres would not solve the drug addiction problem but instead called for an urgent change in the policy and treatment methods. "Look at the addicts' treatment policy as currently over 70 per cent of the drug addicts return to their old habit after rehabilitation," he said. Tuan Ibrahim opined that harsher penalty should be imposed on addicts as a new and more deterrent step to stop people from becoming drug addicts. (continued)

Source: BERNAMA/4 April 2005/

http://www3.bernama.com/

Drug Trafficker Shot Dead

A 31-year-old drug trafficker was shot dead when he tried to run down a team of state narcotics department personnel with his car in Jalan Tanjung Bungah here. The team had just picked up two youth, aged 21 and 24, with the recovery of 75gm of syabu, which is more popularly known as ice, at 1am Monday when the trafficker tried to run them down while trying to flee. State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Christopher Wan said the trafficker, identified as Goh Poh Chuan of Air Itam, was shot at twice. One of the shots hit him on the right armpit. Goh was rushed to the Penang Hospital in a Rescue 991 ambulance but died upon arrival. The team subsequently checked his vehicle and found 58.6gm of heroin, 0.6gm of syabu and 15 psychotropic pills," he said.

Source: The Star/Bernard See/4 April 2005/ http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/4/4/latest/20050404155402&sec=Latest

Nitespot Owners To Be Remanded If Drugs In Premises

The police were Monday directed to enforce with immediate effect Section 13(C) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which empowers the authorities to take stern action against entertainment spot owners or operators if their premises were found to be used for drug-related activities. Deputy Minister of Internal Security Datuk Noh Omar, who issued the order, said the owner or operator held under the section could be remanded for 14 days to assist in police investigations. They are liable to a RM10,000 maximum fine or jailed for not more than five years or both, if convicted, he said. Action could also be taken against the operators under the Special Preventive Measures under the same Act which allows them to be detained without trial for a certain period, he told reporters after briefing entertainment outlet operators. Noh said the move to invoke Section 13(C) was in tandem with the government's tireless efforts to curb drug distribution and addiction in the country. All this while only patrons of nightclubs or discotheques were rounded up for urine tests or for further investigations during police raids but from now on owners or licencees would not be allowed to go scot-free, he said. He said the laws are in place but had not been fully enforced. "With the enforcement of Section 13(C), we hope owners and operators of entertainment centres will be more responsible in ensuring their premises are not misused for drug-related activities. (continued)

Source: Daily Express/4 April 2005/ http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=33677

Arrest Nightspot Operators, Says Noh Omar

Police have been told to arrest nightspot operators if they have reason to believe that their premises are being used for drug-related activities. Internal Security Deputy Minister Datuk Noh Omar said stern action was needed as substance abuse at such outlets was on the increase. "We know that operators have the knowledge of what is going on at their place. Whenever a raid is conducted, we can find psychotropic pills strewn on the floor and patrons high on drugs," he said, adding that party-goers now were more into designer drugs than conventional dadah like heroin or ganja. Noh was speaking to reporters after a dialogue with operators of nightspots at Komtar here today, which was also attended by Penang police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee. Noh said police had also been told to screen operators who refused to co-operate with their patrons during raids. He said the onus was on operators to ask patrons suspected of taking dadah to leave their premises.

Source: New Straits Times/6 April 2005/ http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/National/NST32299307.txt/Article/indexb_html

Myanmar

223 Drug-Related Cases Exposed In February

Tatmadaw, Myanmar Police Force and the Customs Department exposed 223 drug-related cases — 71.8731 kilos of opium in 36 cases, 12.3619 kilos of heroin in 88 cases, 0.6269 kilo of opium oil in nine cases, 3.6648 kilos of low-grade opium in 11 cases, 4.4788 kilos of marijuana in 13 cases, two litres of Phensedyl in one case, 172,267 stimulant tablets in 44 cases, 24.5965 kilos of Ephedrine in three cases, 0.0014 kilo of stimulant powder in one case, 5.31 litres of cough syrup in one case, 10.297 kilos of opium speciosa in three cases, 298 tablets of ecstasy in one case, one ampoules of diazepam, 920 Phenobarbitone tablet in one case, nine cases in failure to register and other drug-related cases— in February 2005. Action was taken against 322 persons — 262 men and 60 women— in 223 cases. Among the cases, the anti-drug squad together with witnesses, acting on information, searched the house of Maung Hsam in 105th Mile Village of Muse Township and seized 8 blocks of heroin weighing 2.8 kilos and arms and ammunition on 21 February 2005. Muse Police Station took action against Maung Hsam together with Yi Aung, Maung Yin Pyay (a) Ar Pyin, Mar Gam (a) Kham Dah Gam and La Rein. On 25 February, the anti-squad searched the house of Aung Tun on Kanbawza Road in Yeayegwin Ward of Taunggyi. They seized 29,680 stimulant tablets. (continued)

Source: The New Light of Myanmar/31 March 2005/ http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/enlm/Mar31_drug1.html

Replacing Poppies With Herbs In Myanmar

Motoyoshi Satake is doing his part in trying to flatten one of the points in the Golden Triangle. For the past four years, Satake, 64, has headed for the mountains in northern Myanmar (Myanmar)-one of the world's major cultivating areas for opium poppies-to teach residents how to grow medicinal plants. The juice of unripe seeds in opium poppies is a key ingredient in heroin, and there is always demand for these crops. But word has quickly spread that cash can also be earned from Satake's legal herbs. Now, even anti-government camps based in nearby areas are showing an interest in Satake's program. Satake once headed a department researching natural medicine at the National Institute of Health Sciences. Based on his knowledge of poppies and his expertise in herbal medicine, Satake proposed a program intended to curb narcotics production in Southeast Asia. The idea was supported by the United Nations and Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. When Satake retired from the institute in 2001, he set up a nonprofit organization as an instrument to put his program to work. The Myanmar government was initially suspicious about ``aid without money.'' Satake, however, did not give up easily. ``We have the human resources. Whether the program will be fruitful or not will depend on how much effort the two nations put into the work,'' Satake told Myanmar officials. The following year, Satake's project was officially approved. Satake started by plowing fields and planting about 30 varieties of plants. (continued)

Source: The Asahi Shimbun/HISAE SATO/1 April 2005/ http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200504010200.html

Stimulant Tablet Traffickers Jailed

Members of Tachilek Anti-Drug Squad, acting on information, searched on 19 June 2004, the vehicle driven by U Yan Qin Zun (a) Sai Kyaw, and seized U Yan Qin Zun (a) Sai Kyaw, son of U Yan Lin Xuin, Law Sam (a) Sai Sam, son of U Pi Shan, Sai Mat (a) Aik Mat, son of U Kyai Site, Nan Nwam, son of U Sai Yi, Sai Tun Myint, son of U Maung Myint and Aik Kyaung, son of U Aik Yone, together with 100,000 WY brand stimulant tablets on board the vehicle. On 17 February, Tachilek District Court sentenced 20 years’ imprisonment to the stimulant tablet traffickers respectively under the sections of 19 (a) and 20. Similarly, members of Tachilek Anti-Drug Squad, acting on information, searched Room No 127 of Rigana Hotel on 11 December, 2004 and seized Aik Kyine (a) Zaw Myo Aung of Pasat Village together with 18,000 WY brand stimulant tablets. Action was taken against him by Tachilek Police Station under the sections 15, 19 (a), 21 of the Narchotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law. On 24 February, Tachilek District Court sentenced 20 years’ imprisonment to Aik Kyine (a) Zaw Myo Aung, son of U Lone Tit, under the section of 19 (a).

Source: The New Light of Myanmar/1 April 2005/ http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/enlm/April01_rg9.html

Loyalist Casinos Busted

On 28 March, Kutkhai-based Col San Shwe Tha raided two casinos along the Mao (Shweli) River, near Nam Paw, between Muse and Pangkham. One of them, Moonshine Island, is owned by Soso-pyay-pyay Sai Htun Aye, known to be close to junta authorities. Another is owned by Panhsay Kyaw Myint, leader of a pro-government militia force. The raiding party detained more than a hundred people, many of them gamblers from across the border. Sai Htun Aye and Kyaw Myint however were not among the detained.

Source: Shanland/2 April 2005/ http://www.shanland.org/Drugs/News_2005/Loyalist_casinos_busted.htm

Time To Rethink Policy On Myanmar

Our neighbour to the west continues to bluster, obfuscate and prevaricate over what it must do. With the recent succession of military musical chairs and semi-coups, poor Myanmar has plumbed new depths in its world standing. Its continuing refusal to accept decent norms in the treatment of its own people and its neighbours debases Myanmar and embarrasses its friends. The time is approaching for Myanmar to become chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. If that happens while Myanmar remains a military dictatorship, continues repressing its democrats and refuses to discuss change, many Asean activities will grind to a halt and the world will simply stop doing much diplomatic business with the regional group. That cannot happen. If Myanmar will not change or adapt, it does not deserve to be chairman of the vital regional group. Freedom House of America released its annual list last week of ``The Worst of the Worst: The World's Most Repressive Societies 2005'', and Myanmar makes that list easily, along with Belarus, Haiti and Chechnya among the selected few. Transparency International rates Myanmar as the most corrupt country on five continents, with only four feudal African basket cases as worse. The International Narcotics Control Board ranks Myanmar as the region's biggest illicit drug centre, second to Afghanistan in opium and heroin production but unrivalled as a source and active peddler of methamphetamines and designer nightclub drugs, a growing market sector. (continued)

Source: Bangkok Post/4 April 2005/ http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/04Apr2005_news21.php

Japan To Provide $500,000 To Help Ex-Opium Growers In Myanmar

Japan will contribute $500,000 this year to the U.N. World Food Program for its food security projects for about 180,000 former opium growers in Myanmar, the semiofficial Myanmar Times weekly reported in its latest issue. Most of the funds — about $400,000 — will be used to buy 1,064 tons of rice to supply former opium growers facing food shortages in the country's eastern Shan State, while the rest will be used to buy biscuits made from buckwheat, a poppy substitution crop which is grown by them, the paper quoted Japanese Embassy and WFP officials in Yangon as saying.

Source: Japan Today/Kyodo News/5 April 2005/ http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=1&id=333058

Philippines

Biazon Seeks Drug Law Amendments

An administration lawmaker proposed amendments yesterday to Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, in a bid to stop the proliferation and use of uncontrolled substances or medical drugs as "replacement" for illegal drugs shabu and ecstasy. Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, recommended through Senate Bill 1962 that the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) be allowed to classify certain medical drugs and add them to the list of controlled precursors and chemicals. Biazon lamented that the owner of $32 million worth of the anesthetic ketamine discovered at a laboratory in Malate, Manila could not be found in violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Law because ketamine does not fall in the category of the Dangerous Drugs Board’s list of controlled drugs. The senator issued the statement after Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF) chief Deputy Director General Ricardo de Leon called for the inclusion of the party drug ketamine hydrochloride in the DDB list of controlled drugs so its manufacture and possession would result in stiffer penalties. Individuals engaged in the distribution, manufacture and unauthorized sale of the so-called "love drug" should also be penalized, Biazon said. "Because of the absence of stiff penalties, drug syndicates are now producing ketamine in the Philippines in huge quantities and exporting them to Taiwan and other Asian countries. The drug costs US$90 to $95 per gram in Taiwan and up to $100 in the US, more lucrative than shabu," the senator said. (continued)

Source: The Philippine Star/Christina Mendez/1 April 2005/ http://www.philstar.com/philstar/News200504016301.htm

Cops Want Party Drug Labeled ‘Dangerous’

Chief drugbuster Deputy Director General Ricardo de Leon called yesterday for the inclusion of party drug "ketamine hydrochloride" in the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) list of controlled drugs so its manufacture and possession would result in heavier penalties. De Leon, who heads the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF), issued the call following the seizure of $32 million worth of ketamine at a clandestine laboratory in Malate, Manila last week. Ketamine, known in the street as "K" or "Special K" has started to replace shabu and Ecstasy as the drug of choice among young users because of its tranquilizing effect. AID-SOTF said, however, that the owner of the seized drugs in Malate has not committed violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Law or RA 9165, but merely Section 6 of RA 3720 of the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD). While the substance is illegal in other countries, the Philippines has yet to include it in the list of dangerous drugs."The only violation we can see here is that the owner was not authorized by BFAD to manufacture ketamine," De Leon said, noting that the maximum penalty against such violators is a jail term of one year and a fine of P1,000. AID-SOTF filed yesterday violation of BFAD regulations against Chinese national Chen Lim Yong, the tenant of a hotel room where the drugs were found last March 23. (continued)

Source: The Philippine Star/Non Alquitran/31 March 2005/ http://www.philstar.com/philstar/News200503316301.htm

Narcotics Agents Uncover New 'Party Drug'

A new form of "party drug" is slowly taking the place of the more popular shabu and "ecstasy" and it is not even classified as illegal, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday. PNP Deputy Director Ricardo de Leon of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Force identified the substance as "ketamine." He said that the effect of ketamine on its user is similar to shabu (methamphetamine crystals). De Leon said that the substance is slowly taking the place of shabu at parties because it is easily obtained and legal. Ketamine is more popularly known among the youth as K, Ket, Special K, Vitamin K, Vitamin K, Kit Kat, Keller, Kelly's Day, Green, Blind Squid, Cat Valium, Purple, Special Coke, Super Acid and Super C. The substance, de Leon added, is also known a "rape drug" because of its tranquilizing effects on the user. He said ketamine was originally intended for veterinary use, specifically for horses. While the substance has been classified an illegal substance in other Asian countries as well as in the United States, the Philippines has yet to categorize it as such, de Leon said. De Leon said that he will ask the Dangerous Drugs Board to declare ketamine as an illegal substance. The PNP's findings followed Tuesday's raid when $3.2 million worth of ketamine was confiscated from the hotel room of two foreigners in Malate. The suspects were identified as Chinese national Chen Lim Yung and his Taiwanese partner, Tai Wun Lang. Both are at-large. (continued)

Source: ABS-CBN News/30 March 2005/

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/topofthehour.aspx?StoryId=1576

Shabu 11 Case: Ng, Ong Bail Petition Today

The petition for bail filed by warehouse owners Andy Ng and Richard Ong resumes today after it was postponed last Monday. The postponement of the petition for bail for both accused, who claimed the evidence against them is not strong, came after the panel of State prosecutors filed an urgent ex-party motion to postpone the March 28 hearing to April 1. Ng and Ong’s petition for bail was supposed to be heard last February 23 but did not push through in view of the temporary restraining order issued by the Court of Appeals 19th Special Division. The TRO was lifted last week, prompting the court to issue a notice setting the hearing last Monday. Both Ng and Ong, through their respective counsels, asked for the bail to be granted for their temporary liberty. Both have contended that the evidence against them for allegedly engaging in the manufacture of illegal drugs is not strong that would warrant their conviction. Ong and Ng are the owners of the “Caps R Us” warehouse in barangay Umapad, Mandaue City that was converted into a shabu laboratory by a drug syndicate. A raid conducted last September 24 yielded 675 kilograms of shabu worth P1.3 billion and led to the arrest of 11 suspects.

Source: The Freeman/Mitchelle P. Calipayan/1 April 2005/ http://www.thefreeman.com/local/index.php?fullstory=1&issue=articles_20050401&id=28720

Vigilantes Slay 2 More Felons

Suspected vigilantes shot dead two more alleged felons shortly after midnight yesterday, bringing the death toll caused by summary executions in the city since last December to 40. This developed as the influential Integrated Bar of the Philippines sought the help of no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to look into the series of vigilante-style killings that has remained unsolved. (continued) Records at the BBRC revealed that Canoy had been detained in October 1997 and in March 2000 for sniffing rugby. But police intelligence reports however revealed that Canoy was involved in snatching, hold-up, and burglary cases in the Labangon and Tisa areas. He was allegedly a drug user. Lopez has no criminal records but his mother Cora said her son had reportedly been involved in the illegal drugs trade. Frustrated with the failure of authorities to crack down on those behind the vigilante-style killings in the city, outgoing officials of the IBP-Cebu City Chapter, through a resolution, urged Arroyo “to do something to stop these summary executions.” “Despite opposition from responsible quarters, such summary executions remain unsolved, leading to the prevailing belief that police and the local officials either encourage or tolerate the illegal acts or remain indifferent, or have been remiss in their duties to enforce the law,” the resolution stated. Earlier, the IBP issued a statement urging the authorities to investigate the summary executions in the city. (continued)

Source: The Freeman/Ryan P. Borinaga and Joeberth M. Ocao/1 April 2005/ http://www.thefreeman.com/local/index.php?fullstory=1&issue=articles_20050401&id=28712

Filipino Film/Music Star Arrested at LAX

Filipino film and music star Nora Aunor was arrested by Los Angeles International Airport police after screeners found suspected methamphetamine in her carry-on bag, it was reported today. A "female suspect" was stopped at the Terminal 1 checkpoint about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday when screeners found drugs and a glass pipe wrapped in a T- shirt in her bag, Jennifer Peppin of the Transportation Security Administration told the Daily Breeze. A law enforcement source told the Breeze the woman was Aunor, and that police found about 8 grams of methamphetamine in a film container. Aunor, 51, was booked under her real name -- Nora Cabaltera Villamayor -- at the Van Nuys jail on a felony drug possession count, according to the Breeze. She was released yesterday morning on $10,000 bail. Her first court appearance is scheduled for April 21 at the Airport Courthouse. Carson City Councilman Elito Santarina, who is Filipino-American, told the Breeze that Aunor is a huge star throughout Asia. She has recorded more than two dozen albums and made more than 170 movies, the Breeze reported. He said he and his wife saw Aunor in a concert a few months ago at a Hollywood club. "She's just so popular, just like our American superstars," he said. Aunor, a Philippine citizen, spends much of her time in the United States and owns a home in Linda Vista, near San Diego, the Breeze reported.

Source: KABC/1 April 2005/ http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/news/040105_NW_lax_arrest.html

Nora Aunor Nabbed In US On Drug Charges

One of the country's most popular film and music stars was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on investigation of possessing methamphetamine, a newspaper reported Friday. Nora Aunor, whose real name is Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, was arrested late Wednesday allegedly with 8 grams of the drug in her carry-on bag and a glass pipe wrapped in a T-shirt, according to the Daily Breeze of Torrance, which is near Los Angeles. The newspaper named Aunor, but Jennifer Peppin, a spokeswoman for the Transportation Security Administration, would only identify the woman as a "female suspect". Airport screeners stopped Aunor, who was flying to Oakland, and found the methamphetamine in a film container, the Daily Breeze said, citing unnamed law enforcement officials. Aunor, 51, was released early Thursday after posting US$10,000 bail, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. A court hearing was scheduled April 21. Lita Patayon, assistant to the Philippines' consulate in Los Angeles, told The Associated Press by phone she was unaware of the incident but would attempt to confirm whether Aunor was arrested. Known as "The Superstar" to her fans, Aunor has appeared in more than 170 films and recorded more than two dozen albums, including scores of hit singles. On screen, she starred with leading men of her time, including Joseph Estrada, who became the country's president. She won the best actress award at the 2004 International Festival of Independent Films in Brussels, Belgium. (continued)

Source: Sun Star/2 April 2005/ http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2005/04/02/nora.aunor.nabbed.in.us.on.drug.charges.html

La Union Cops Seize 158 Kgs Of Marijuana

Policemen of this upland municipality, backed by personnel from Camp Diego Silang in San Fernando City, apprehended four persons who were trying to transport 158 kilos of hybrid marijuana worth at least P5 million at dawn Thursday. Sr. Supt. Samuel Diciano, La Union police director, reported to The Manila Times that the prohibited goods were placed in 7 sacks and neatly packaged into bricks. He identified the suspects as Ago Garcia, 37, leader of the group; Imelda Balusdan, 28; and two 17-year old boys. All are resident of Sasaba, Santol, La Union. Quoting from field reports, Diciano said the suspects loaded the illegal drugs in a passenger jeepney that came from a remote village near the boundary of Benguet and La Union provinces. He said the suspects tried to escape by evading a checkpoint at around 3 a.m. Thursday but the police chased them. The driver, Larry Masaybeng, escaped. The vehicle is owned by a certain Tomas Rafanan of the said town. It was learned that the suspects are among the biggest suppliers of hybrid marijuana in La Union and its neighboring provinces. Their supply also reaches Manila. Sources said the suspects have been doing the illegal activity for a long time and the leader of the group is now a wealthy person. He is allegedly the only person who was able to build a big concrete house with complete appliances in their mountain village. (continued)

Source: Manila Times/Jun Elias/2 April 2005/ http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/apr/02/yehey/prov/20050402pro2.html

Suspected Drug Trafficker

Juanito Lee Ty, alias Johnny, is a Chinese Filipino businessman charged with trafficking in methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu. Police believe he is a member of a transnational drug syndicate operating in the country. Investigation shows that the syndicate smuggles huge shipments of shabu from China to the Philippines. A case for violation of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, has been filed against Ty before Branch 11 of the Manila Regional Trial Court. A P300,000 cash reward is available for any information leading to Ty’s arrest or capture. Readers are warned against trying to arrest him on their own. Report any information of his whereabouts to the nearest police station or military unit in your area or call the Philippine National Police 24-hour hot lines (02) 722-2353 and (02) 722-9587 or use PNPTEXT 2920. Most Wanted is a joint project of The Manila Times, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Source: Manila Times/2 April 2005/ http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/apr/02/yehey/top_stories/20050402top10.html

No Contract Renewal For “Addict” Teachers

Cebu City Schools Superintendent Leonilo Oliva will possibly deny the renewal of contract services of two of the three teachers who tested positive in a surprise drug test conducted by the Department of Education last January. Oliva, who refused to divulge the names of these teachers and their respective schools, however said he is still waiting for the recommendations of the teaching personnel’s school heads. He pointed out that while waiting for the recommendation, one of the teachers would have to undergo medication as stated in their rules and regulations. “We always give chances to our personnel but if these teachers have not shown any improvement, then we will not renew their contracts anymore to avoid their influence on our students,” he said. The contract of these teachers will end this April 15. Last January, three of the 450 male public teaching personnel were found positive of drug use in a surprise drug test conducted by DepEd and the Cebu City government. The said test was conducted following reports that 70 percent of the male teachers in Mandaue City are drug addicts.

Source: The Freeman/Jasmin R. Uy/2 April 2005/ http://www.thefreeman.com/local/index.php?fullstory=1&issue=articles_20050402&id=28753

Shabu Lab Case: Prosecutors To Present Logbook vs. Ong And Ng

The prosecution panel is set to present a logbook to support its opposition to the petition for bail filed by warehouse owners Andy Ng and Richard Ong, according to prosecutor Ferdinand Peque. In yesterday’s hearing, lawyer Bernardito Florido asked the court to submit the case for resolution, citing that the witness of the prosecution, C/Insp. Madzgani Mukaran, has already appeared before the court. Mukaran failed to appear in yesterday’s hearing due to the death of his adopted son. He is reportedly assigned to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Cavite. Florido said that Mukaran admitted that he has not enough evidence implicating Ong in illegal activities. Romulo Senining, counsel of Andy Ng, shared Florido’s opinion, manifesting that the prosecution can file a motion for reconsideration on the decision of the court. But Peque said there is a need for them to present the logbook, which is now in the possession of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Manila. Although he admitted that their evidence is only against Ong, he will consult state prosecutors in Manila if the same evidence will be used against Ng. Judge Marilyn Yap ruled in favor of Peque, citing that once the prosecution filed a motion for reconsideration on her decision, it will add to the delay of the case. Yap set another hearing of the petition for bail for April 8. (continued)

Source: The Freeman/Jose P. Sollano/2 April 2005/ http://www.thefreeman.com/local/index.php?fullstory=1&issue=articles_20050402&id=28762

Arroyo Distances Self From Nora Aunor Drug Bust Case In LA

VETERAN actress Nora Aunor's endorsement may have given President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's stock a boost in the May 2004 elections, but Ms Arroyo is not too keen on helping the "Superstar” out of her drug bust case in Los Angeles. "I think the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) has announced that efforts will be done at their level,” said the President when asked whether she would help Aunor in her drug charges during a briefing at the Clark airfield in Pampanga province. The Philippine consulate in Los Angeles has offered to give Aunor legal assistance. This offer is standard fare because the government is duty-bound to provide free legal assistance to Filipinos facing criminal charges abroad. Aunor is set to appear in court on April 21 for her arrest at the Los Angeles airport for possession of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu. Aunor, who is currently out on bail, has a long history with the President, who parlayed her striking resemblance to the award-winning actress, into a successful campaign gimmick in 1998 when she won the vice presidency. In 2001, Aunor was among the high-profile supporters of President Joseph Estrada who abandoned the movie actor at the height of a people uprising that eventually led to Ms Arroyo's assumption to power. Last year, Aunor found herself in the middle of a political controversy after she was discovered to have received money from the government. (continued)

Source: Inquirer News Service/Gil C. Cabacungan Jr./5 April 2005/ http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=32617

DFA: Government To Provide Free Legal Aid To Nora Arrested In USA

The Philippine consulate in Los Angeles is ready to provide a lawyer for movie star Nora Aunor, who was arrested at a United States airport for allegedly possessing methamphetamine. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for migrant workers’ affairs Jose Brillantes said the Philippine government will provide Aunor, whose real name is Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, a lawyer aside from her court-appointed counsel even if the case against her is not labor-related. However, he said Aunor might not request free legal assistance from the consulate and instead opt to hire her own lawyer. The consulate has assigned a case officer to monitor developments. "The consulate will be there to assist her. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure her rights are protected and she will be given due process. But considering her status, she might get her own lawyer," Brillantes told The STAR. Aunor, whose court hearing is set for April 21, has been advised by her court-appointed lawyer not to discuss the case so as not to compromise her defense. Brillantes said a lawyer might be provided for Aunor even if she had not requested one. "If our (consulate) feels there is already full protection of the law, then only the court-appointed lawyer will represent her and the case will go on. But if the (consulate) recommends a lawyer for her, we will get a lawyer even without her request," he said. (continued)

Source: Philippine Headline News Online/STAR/Pia Lee-Brago/4 April 2005/ http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/hl/hl101971.htm

Filipina Lawyer To Defend Actress Aunor In US Drug Charges

THE FILIPINO lawyer helping superstar Nora Aunor face drug charges in California does not exactly consider herself a fan, but says it's more than just her professional duty to defend someone "closely tied to our history and culture." Lawyer Claire Espina, based in Los Angeles since 1983, told the Inquirer yesterday in a phone interview that Aunor had remained "focused" and positive" about her predicament following her arrest on Wednesday in that city's international airport. Police allegedly found eight grams of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and a glass pipe wrapped in a T-shirt in the 51-year-old Aunor's carry-on bag for a flight bound for Oakland. Reports said she posted $10,000 bail early Thursday and was freed after about 10 hours of detention at the Van Nuys jail in San Fernando Valley. "She was clear-minded for someone who has undergone such an ordeal. She remains alert, strong, and focused," Espina said of her client. Composed Aunor has since been staying with members of her family in Northern California, the lawyer said. During questioning by police, Aunor "answered in a very dignified and rational manner, which struck me," Espina said, adding: "I don't remember seeing her crying. She might have been scared but she was composed. And I admire her for that, because I've seen bigger men sob [when subjected to the same grilling]." Espina declined to discuss Aunor's defense, saying she had yet to receive the formal evidence against her client, whose first hearing is set on April 21 at the Airport Courthouse. (continued)

Source: Inquirer News Service/Volt Contreras/3 April 2005/ http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=32397

Mayor, Police Monitor Another Shabu Lab

Authorities are monitoring another illegal drugs laboratory run by foreigners and operating outside Davao City, according to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte Sunday. Though not revealing its location, Duterte said Oriental-looking foreigners are involved in the production of methamphetamine hydrochloride (locally known as shabu) in the laboratory. "They come here and manufacture illegal drugs as if there are no laws," the mayor said. Duterte warned the foreigners to stop their illegal activity immediately or suffer the same fate that befell the six Oriental-looking foreigners who died in a raid at a shabu laboratory in Dumoy, Toril last December 31. He told local partners of the foreigners to translate his threats to them. Duterte earlier said that if he caught anyone operating a shabu laboratory in the city, he would tie that person to the machines and set him or her on fire. This time, the mayor said he is expanding his coverage to include those shabu manufacturers operating elsewhere in the country. The Dumoy raid was conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11, the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force, and the intelligence operatives of the Police Regional Office. Police recovered 76 kilos of suspected shabu worth more than P152 million in street value. Superintendent Wilkins Villanueva, PDEA 11 director, said police were forced to shoot at the operators of the shabu laboratory after they resisted arrest and fired at authorities. (continued)

Source: Sun Star/Ben O. Tesiorna/4 April 2005/ http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2005/04/04/mayor.police.monitor.another.shabu.lab.html

'Ate Guy’ Faces Up To A Year In Jail

Film star Nora Aunor could be jailed for up to a year then deported and barred from the United States if she is convicted of drug possession, lawyers familiar with similar cases said yesterday. Police arrested Aunor recently at the Los Angeles International Airport for allegedly possessing eight grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride in her carry-on bag and a glass pipe wrapped in a T-shirt, according to press reports. She was on her way back to her San Francisco Bay area home after a business trip to Los Angeles. Aunor has posted bail and will be arraigned on April 21 at Los Angeles Superior Court. Her Filipina lawyer, University of the Philippines graduate Claire Espina of Tarlac, declined to go into detail about the case but emphasized that official charges against Aunor have not yet been drawn and would depend on how the prosecutor wishes to proceed with the case. Espina told The STAR in a telephone interview that the prosecutor could charge Aunor with felony or misdemeanor, or even decide not to proceed with the case, depending on a number of factors — including any previous offenses in the United States and the police report against her. "We want a good prosecutor reviewing this case because a reasonable prosecutor looking at the evidence would be able to make a better assessment than the law enforcement individuals (who arrested Aunor)," she said. (continued)

Source: The Philippines Star/Jose Katigbak/6 April 2005/ http://www.philstar.com/philstar/News200504060403.htm

Despite Tight Security: Drugs, Knives Infest CPDRC

Modern security gadgets are not, after all, a hindrance to Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center inmates to smuggle drugs and other illegal items into the jail. Newly reinstated consultant on security Byron Garcia discovered that smuggling of drugs and other illegal items into the provincial jail became rampant during his brief absence. A series of surprise inspections inside the jail yielded three sticks of marijuana, dried leaves of marijuana and tobacco, several packs of cigarettes, improvised weapons and several drug paraphernalia. Byron led the inspections last Sunday and Monday after three inmates were caught on surveillance camera smoking marijuana at the guard station near the isolation cell on Maunday Thursday. Incidentally, no jail guards manned the station when the three inmates where caught on camera. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that acting jail warden Algier Comendador has not explained why no jail guards manned the station. The security camera also caught an inmate using a cellular phone inside the jail facility even if it is prohibited. The cellular phone was placed in a box to conceal it from jail authorities. Governor Garcia showed reporters yesterday the confiscated illegal items, including the five pairs of sleepers and hat, which were used to hide marijuana sticks and packs of cigarettes. Inmates also used empty bottles of mineral water as improvised bucket to smuggle illegal items. (continued)

Source: The Freeman/Fred P. Languido/6 April 2005/ http://www.thefreeman.com/local/index.php?fullstory=1&issue=articles_20050406&id=28902

Suspected Drug Trafficker

Ong Shin Pin Reward P500,000 Ong Shin Pin, alias Apin Ong, is a Chinese believed to be involved in the manufacture and distribution of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, in the Philippines. An associate of Wang Yashi, Ong allegedly served as a collector for a drug syndicate. He has been charged with violation of Section 8 (Manufacture of Illegal Drugs) under Article 2 of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. His cases are pending before the regional trial courts of Navotas and Valenzuela. A P500,000 cash reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Ong, a native of Fujian, China. His last known addresses are 1060 North Bay Boulevard, South Navotas and Unit 2102 Regina Regente Street, Binondo, Manila.

Source: Manila Times/6 April 2005/ http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/apr/06/yehey/top_stories/20050406top11.html

Suspected Gunman Nabbed

A suspected gunman in the killing of an anti-narcotics agent was arrested by Army soldiers in a remote village of a town in Sultan Kudarat last week. Col. Alexander Macario, commander of the 66th Infantry Battalion, led the operations to arrest Tunggol Usop, suspected killer of Senior Police Officer Manampan, agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) assigned in Tacurong City. Usop, Army reports stated, led the ambush that killed Manampan in 2004. He is also wanted for series of robbery, kidnapping and drug-trafficking cases as well as other lawless activities in Central Mindanao.

Source: Manila Bulletin/Malu Manar/6 April 2005/ http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV2005040632074.html

Text Messages On Drug Trade At BBRC Checked

The committee overseeing the operations at the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center is looking into claims that shabu is being smuggled into the city jail. The allegations were sent as text messages to Cebu City councilor Procopio Fernandez. Gregorio Bacolod, chairman of the committee, said his group has no idea yet who sent the text messages. Fernandez, chairman of the city council’s committee on police, fire, penology and public safety, also sits as member of the BBRC oversight committee. Earlier, the committee was considering the hiring of blue guards to augment the personnel at BBRC that would inspect and frisk visitors but later dropped the idea. “We thought this was still useless because despite the inspection, some are still able to smuggle drugs into the jail so we just decided to prevent physical contact between inmates and visitors. This is to prevent the visitors from passing on anything to the inmates,” Bacolod said. “We can’t assure that we can eradicate the illegal drugs trade inside, but at least the opportunity to pass prohibited drugs to inmates would be minimized,” he said.

Source: The Freeman/Wenna A. Berondo/6 April 2005/ http://www.thefreeman.com/local/index.php?fullstory=1&issue=articles_20050406&id=28904

Village Exec Faces Rap For Intervening In Buy-Bust

A COUNCILMAN of Barangay Simon Ledesma in Jaro, Iloilo City will be facing charges for allegedly intervening in the arrest of a drug pusher during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drugs Enforment Agency (Pdea) last week. Superintendent Rolen Balquin, Pdea regional director, said they are now investigating the incident and evaluating the possible charges that could be filed against the village official, which Balquin refused to name yet. During the buy-bust operation on March 29, Pdea operatives arrested suspected pusher Rodolfo Aragurat but the village official reportedly intervened. Balquin said the official might be charged for coddling a drug pusher because he allegedly tried to help Aragurat so that the drug suspect can be released. "Barangay officials are supposed to help us look for crooks or drug pushers but this official intervened," Balquin said. Aragurat, a notorious drugs pusher in Jaro, was once arrested for drug possession in 2001 but he was released after posting a bail. Last week, he was arrested anew for owning 11 grams of shabu. "Aragurat has been Pdea's target for several days. He was too elusive but when he was finally nabbed, no bail was recommended for him," Balquin added. Pdea 6 has arrested several drug personalities in since the Holy Week. Arrested during the Holy Thursday were Lourdes Diamante and Ryan Fernandez, both of Zamora Extension, Iloilo City. (continued)

Source: Sun Star/Ruby P. Silubrico/6 April 2005/ http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ilo/2005/04/06/news/village.exec.faces.rap.for.intervening.in.buy.bust.html

Singapore

Lawyer Says German Drug Offender In Singapore To Be Released In July?

A German woman who narrowly escaped being hanged for a drug conviction in Singapore will be released on July 15 after her five-year sentence was reduced for good behavior, her lawyer said Wednesday. Julia Suzanne Bohl's arrest in March 2002 provoked international concern because the charges she originally faced carried a mandatory death sentence. But the charges were reduced after authorities said the drugs found in her Singapore apartment were not as pure as originally thought. Bohl, 26, was convicted of consuming the drug ketamine, and possessing marijuana and other drugs, as well as allowing her apartment to be used for narcotics trafficking. She was accused of belonging to a ring that supplied drugs to nightspots in the city-state. Her case focused international media attention on Singapore's tough drug laws. Bohl's lawyer, Subhas Anandan, said he visited her at Changi Women's Prison last week. "She's doing OK, she's all right," he said. "She's currently doing a course in prison at the London School of Economics in economics and social science." Anandan said that Bohl might continue her studies next year in Germany or Britain after she completes her prison term. He said one-third of her sentence was reduced for good behavior. At her sentencing in June 2002, Bohl said in a written statement read by Anandan that she felt deep shame. "I deeply regret what I've done, especially as I'm a guest in this country," Bohl said. (continued)

Source: China Post/30 March 2005/ http://www.chinapost.com.tw/i_latestdetail.asp?id=27327

Drug Bust Leads To Arrest Of 17 Suspects

Central Narcotics Bureau officers have arrested 17 drug suspects, and seized Ecstasy and Erimin-5 tablets. The officers also seized several grams of Ice and Ketamine tablets worth a total street value of more than S$24,600. In addition, they recovered suspected drugs proceeds in various currencies, including about S$12,657 and US$2,220. The arrests were made on Wednesday after the officers trailed some of the suspects following a tip-off. The first two arrests were made at a petrol station at Aljunied Road. During a body search, some Erimin tables were found on one of the suspects. Both tested positive for drugs. The other arrests were made in follow-up raids. More drugs and suspected drug proceeds were also recovered from the hideout of one of the suspects in Geylang Lorong 27. The suspects are being investigated for drug offences including possession and trafficking.

Source: Channel News Asia/1 April 2005/ http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/140377/1/.html

Marx Oh Pleads Guilty To Two More Drug Charges

In an unexpected turn of events, Marx Oh, one of the alleged ringleaders of last October's high-profile cocaine drug bust, has pleaded guilty to two more drug charges, with the third charge taken into consideration. Oh's trial was to have started on Monday morning but just before court proceedings began, he decided to plead guilty. In a deal struck between prosecutors and defence lawyers, the 32-year-old pleaded guilty to two charges: the possession and trafficking of a controlled drug, cannabis. A third charge for the possession of cannabis was taken into consideration. Defence lawyer Subhas Anandan said, "Thursday we were given a lot of statements made by my client and other witnesses concerned. So when we looked at it overall, we thought that it was best for my client to make the deal with the prosecution and that is why he decided to plead guilty." Standing quietly in the dock, Oh appeared emotional when the charges were read out to him. Currently serving his time behind bars at Queenstown Remand Prison, Oh appears to have lost some weight after being sentenced to 12 months on two counts for possessing cannabis and cocaine. Oh was convicted for these offences last month but by pleading guilty to more charges, he could now face as much as 20 years in jail and 15 strokes of the cane. He will be sentenced on Wednesday.

Source: Channel News Asia/Rita Zahara/4 April 2005/ http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/140867/1/.html

Cocaine User Dinesh Bhatia's 1-Year Jail Term Cut To 8 Months

Former Internet entrepreneur Dinesh Bhatia has had his original one-year jail sentence for consuming cocaine reduced to eight months, following an appeal at the High Court. High Court Judge VK Rajah ruled on Tuesday that the district judge had erred in not tailoring the sentence to fit the offender as Dinesh was a first-time user. He also ruled that the district judge had failed to attach weight and merit to all the relevant mitigating factors. In his view, the original sentence was excessive. Dinesh, 35, was sentenced to a year's jail on February 1 for consuming cocaine. The offence carried a maximum penalty of ten years in jail and a fine of $20,000. Another charge of consuming Ecstasy was taken into consideration. He was among 23 people arrested in a high-profile drug bust last October. When Dinesh appealed against his 12-month jail sentence, his lawyers had argued for a fine, instead of imprisonment. Although they weren't successful, Dinesh got his jail term reduced by four months. In meting out the sentence, Judge VK Rajah said Dinesh did not seek out the drugs he took. His consumption was not planned but taken on the spur of the moment, said the judge. The amount of drugs he took was also not substantial, added the judge. Dinesh also did not make payment for the drugs in this one-off incident. Judge VK Rajah however made clear that cocaine use in Singapore must be uncompromisingly weeded out and adequately punished. (continued)

Source: Channel News Asia/Dominique Loh/5 April 2005/ http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/141014/1/.html

Four Suspected Drug Traffickers Arrested In Latest Raids

Four suspected drug traffickers have been arrested in the latest drug raids by the Central Narcotics Bureau. In the first case on Monday, three suspected traffickers and four drug clients were arrested. Narcotics officers had earlier trailed one of the traffickers to his hideout at a Bencoolen Street hotel after he sold ketamine to a CNB undercover officer. On searching the premises, officers seized about 6 grammes of Ice, 3 grammes of Ketamine, and 10 Erimin-5 tablets as well as suspected drug proceeds amounting to more than S$5,000. Some smoking utensils and paraphernalia were also found in the hotel room. In another case early Tuesday morning, narcotics officers arrested a suspected cannabis trafficker minutes after he had sold the drug to an undercover officer. They found marked notes, 8 grammes of cannabis and an improvised smoking apparatus on him. In a follow-up raid of his residence in Woodlands Drive 16, a drug client was arrested and another smoking apparatus seized.

Source: Channel News Asia/5 April 2005/ http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/141033/1/.html

Thailand

Belgian Man Faces Thailand Drugs Charge

A Belgian man has been arrested in Thailand and charged with drug trafficking, Bangkok police said on Wednesday. Fifty eight year old Ivan Decnudde was arrested in a Bangkok pub after police received a tip off that he was trying to clinch a smuggling deal. A search of his room later revealed 1.5 kilogrammes of heroin, the police added. Decnudde told the police he was working with an African gang that was trying to smuggle drugs to Europe and the United States. If convicted, the Belgian national could face the death penalty.

Source: Expatica/30 March 2005/ http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=48&story_id=18560&name=Belgian+man+faces+Thailand+drugs+charge

Two Hmong Arrested After Police Shootout

Two Hmong villagers were arrested on drug trafficking charges yesterday following a brief exchange of fire with police in Chiang Rai's Chiang Saen district. Pun Muaseng, 59, and Vichai Muaseng, 20, residents of Laos' Ban Mom border district, were arrested while they trying to smuggle metamphetamine pills in to country from Laos via the Ban Tha Kwan border crossing. They briefly resisted repeated police calls for them to surrender by engaging them in a gun battle. A total of 208,000 methamphetamine pills, along with a rifle and rounds of ammunition, were seized from the two. Pol Maj-Gen Wut Withitanont, deputy commissioner of Police Region 5, said police had been trying to track down the two for some time. Some Lao border towns are now serving as major drug transit points for narcotics being produced and shipped overseas from the three countries forming the Golden Triangle, he said. Ban Mom, in Laos' Bo Kaew province, was now said to be on par with Mong Yawn, in Myanmar's Shan state when it came to drug production levels. He said the Thai authorities would seek cooperation from their Lao counterparts in tracking down the remaining members of the trafficking gang of which the two suspects belonged. In a related development, Boonjerd Chuenjit, 40, also known as Khun Kor, a suspected drug trafficker, has jumped bail and is on the run. The suspect, reportedly a stepbrother of Col Maha Sang, was arrested at his house in the Intanurak housing estate in Muang Chiang Mai. (continued)

Source: Bangkok Post/CHEEWIN SATTHA/2 April 2005/ http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/02Apr2005_news19.php

Time To Rethink Policy On Myanmar

Source: Bangkok Post/4 April 2005/ http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/04Apr2005_news21.php

Drug Use ‘Could Rise’ In Tsunami Aftermath

Drug use and drug-related crime could rise as people lose their jobs because of the slump in tourism brought on by the tsunami, the Deputy Commander of Phuket Provincial Police has warned. Pol Col Kokiat Wongvorachart said, “The tsunami affected so many people. Employees of big, medium-sized and small companies, laborers and the self-employed have all found themselves out of work. “Only a few tourists are coming to Phuket, but the labor force is still the same size, and people still have to have money to live. “If people have no job and no income, they may well turn to crime to get the money they need, or to drugs in order to escape from the reality of their situation.” Col Kokiat added that the government’s crackdown on drugs had led to a 40% reduction in arrests for drug dealing and drug use in Phuket last year. He continued, “We are still on the lookout for big dealers, but we haven’t seen anything around Rassada Port and Bang Rong Pier that could be related to the shipment of drugs.”

Source: Phuket Gazette/5 April 2005/ http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/index.asp?id=4196

Vietnam

Vietnamese, Lao Police Nab Drug Trafficking Ring Leader

Source: Vietnam News Agency/30 March 2005/ http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=29&NEWS_ID=144875

Drug Trafficker Arrested In Central Nghe An Province

Tran Van Hoi, a dangerous drug baron, has been arrested for trafficking drugs from Laos and Thailand into Vietnam since 2001. Hoi was born in 1972 in Hung Xa commune, Hung Nguyen district of the central province of Nghe An. He was seized together with his accomplices Nguyen Van Ket and Le Thanh Hung. The ring succeeded in trafficking drugs into Vietnam 18 times, with a total volume of 5,500 heroin cakes. Tran Quang Trong, head of the drug-related investigation team under the Hanoi Police Department, said that his team caught the ring red-handed illegally trading 5,400 highly condensed tablets. This is a large ring that had trafficked thousands of highly condensed ATS drugs from Ho Chi Minh City to discotheques and bars in Hanoi, he noted.

Source: Voice of Vietnam/31 March 2005/ http://www.vov.org.vn/2005_03_31/english/xahoi.htm#Drug%20trafficker%20arrested%20in%20central%20Nghe%20An%20province

Ha Noi: Efforts Against Drug Trafficking Continue

The Ha Noi Police over the past three months have investigated and taken action in 472 drug cases, including 85 special ones, announced the Ha Noi Board for Drug Control. These cases involved 577 people, the board said, adding that 3.5 kg of heroin, 4,310 highly condensed tablets, 128 ampoules, 68 motor-bikes, 222 million VND and 47,620 USD were seized by the police during the time. Ha Noi is a major site for traffickers as they use it as a transit centre for carrying drugs from the Northeast and Northwest regions to others. The city itself is estimated to have up to 15,000 drug addicts who convene in public places, barren grounds and abandoned works for retail sales and abuse. In particular, those who use heroin now account for about 70 percent of the city's drug abusers, while the remainder uses such highly condensed drugs as ATS, and methamphetamines, chiefly in dancing theatres, discotheques and bars. Statistics have shown that drug trafficking has increased, more criminals are involved, and more quantities of condensed drug have been transported into the city, the board said.

Source: Vietnam News Agency/30 March 2005/ http://www.vnagency.com.vn/newsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=29&NEWS_ID=144923

Vietnamese Heroin Trafficker Busted

Laotian and Vietnamese police on Monday caught a drug dealer wanted for trafficking large amounts of heroin into Vietnam since 2001. Police in northern Nghe An province cooperated with Laotian police to catch Tran Van Hoi, 33, who trafficked a total of 5,500 heroin cakes (each weighing 350 grams) from Thailand and Laos into Vietnam since 2001. The police also caught two of Hoi’s accomplices, Nguyen Van Ket, 29, and Le Thanh Hung, 27. Police in Ho Chi Minh City and Nghe An province had issued an arrest warrant for Hoi, who is from northern Hung Yen province, four years ago for dealing and trafficking drugs. But, Hoi managed to escape to Laos where he frequently changed homes in order to hide from authorities. While in Laos , Hoi married a Laotian woman and established a drug ring.

Source: Thanh Nien News/30 March 2005/ http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/?catid=3&newsid=5867

Major Drug Ring In HCMC Demolished

Ho Chi Minh City police has eliminated a huge drug trafficking ring, which had a sophisticated transport network from Cambodia to Vietnam, after arresting the remaining major suspect of the ring Monday. Police officers seized Huynh Thanh Hai, 28, at a hotel in district 10 April 4, putting an end to the ring led by Le Van Tien. The collapse of the ring appears to have “hit” the black market of heroin and synthetic pill as the price of synthetic pills has reportedly soared by 100 per cent. “Ice” bust The ring leader was arrested in March this year. While raiding Tien’s rental home in district 5, police confiscated 3,193 synthetic pills, 8,137 grams of methamphetamine - a powerful central nervous system stimulant, 183,090 grams of “ice” - the street name for methamphetamine, and 204,952 grams of ketamine - an anesthetic drug. In order to track down the drug dealers, police officers started their campaign late last year under the instruction of Senior Lieutenant-Colonel Phan Anh Minh, deputy director of the HCMC Police Department. The police first nabbed dealers and leaders of smaller rings which were supplied by Tien. But the major breakthrough came when one of the ring leaders, Nguyen Thi Kim Tuyet, was arrested last month. Tuyen was carrying 398 synthetic pills, 11,731 grams of methamphetamine and her notebooks recording detailed underworld transactions. (continued)

Source: Thanh Nien News/Huu Phu/4 April 2005/ http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/?catid=3&newsid=5960

Village Rebounds From Drugs, Poverty

A village on top of the Vo mountain in the north-western province of Hoa Binh is overcoming the stigma of illegal gold mining, prostitution, and drug addicts, to show that it can function as a model community in today’s Viet Nam. Lot Thung Bu Village, due to its location, is Tan My Commune’s most difficult area to access. To get there it is necessary to conquer many difficult passes. But once at the top of Vo mountain the weary traveller can enjoy the view of the beautiful Lac Son District before turning down a minor road to the commune. On the approach to the commune it is possible to catch glimpses of stilted houses with red tiles through the dense green acacia and eucalyptus forests. On most days you will find local girls, clothed in the colourful brocade dresses of the Muong ethnic minority group, busy shelling kernels from a maize cob to dry in the sun. The area was once the notorious haunt of illegal gold miners, drug addicts and prostitutes, but Tan My Commune has now become a beacon of hope for other communities in the fight against these social evils. Commune Party secretary Bui Van Nhinh says the remote village has progressed so much that his villagers now enjoy the benefits of electricity. He says that many residents have bought televisions or radios for entertainment, but adds that there are other more important uses for the valuable electricity. (continued)

Source: Vietnam News Service/Hoang Lam/3 April 2005/ http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=04SUN030405

Drug Smugglers Arrested

Source: Lao News Agency/5 April 2005/

http://www.kplnet.net/English/News12.htm

Anti-Drug Training Course Offered To Law Enforcement Officers

Vietnam’s law enforcement officers will be more prepared in the fight against drug-related crime, following the commencement of a seven-week training course in Hanoi on Monday. The training course is part of a national project supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with the aim of boosting the fight against drug trafficking. Along with the training course, the project also aims to establish an operational task force in six hotspot provinces, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Thanh Hoa, Son La, Long An and An Giang. It also a testament to UNOCD’s willingness to assist Vietnamese law enforcement agencies in effectively implementing the comprehensive anti-drug action plan of the Vietnamese Government. Through the efforts of the taskforce, law enforcement officers have seized 110 percent more heroin since last year, as well as an increase in synthetic drug seizure by 82 percent. Son La province alone confiscated 45kg of synthetic drug and arrested 570 people for drug related crime.

Source: Voice of Vietnam/5 April 2005/ http://www.vov.org.vn/2005_04_05/english/xahoi.htm#Anti-drug%20training%20course%20offered%20to%20law%20enforcement%20officers

Drug Ring Home Labs Manufacture Synthetic Pills

The latest drug trafficking ring to be busted produced synthetic pills out of in-home labs to satisfy the changing needs of its clients for larger profits, said investigators.

The ring leader Le Van Tien, arrested in mid-March, came up with the idea to buy ecstasy powder in Cambodia to turn out home-made pills in Vietnam, cutting out import costs. Tien and his accomplices bought locally-made moulds and artificial coloring among other paraphernalia to turn out pills with the same color and weight as the genuine drug, nicknamed ‘e’, which is imported from Cambodia. The ring leader who had three previous convictions, along with other dealers in the city even traveled to Cambodia for “apprenticeship.” With the “processing technology,” the ring always had sufficient varieties of pills laced with the same content to supply the market. Tien established the ring to transport synthetic pills from Cambodia to Vietnam in 2002 when he was released from jail.

Source: Thanh Nien News/5 April 2005/ http://www.thanhniennews.com/society/?catid=3&newsid=5973

Police Crack Down On Drug Traffickers

Over the past three months, the Ha Noi Police have investigated and taken action in 472 drug cases, including 85 severe ones, said the Ha Noi Board for Drug Control. The police charged 577 people, confiscated 3.5kg of heroin, 4,310 capsules, 128 ampules, 68 motor-bikes, and seized VND222 million (US$14,000) and $47,620 in currencies, the board said. Ha Noi is a major transit centre for drug trafficking from northeast and northwest regions. The city is estimated to have 15,000 drug addicts, with heroin addicts accounting for 70 per cent, according to estimates. The other popular recreational drugs, include ATS and methamphetamines, retailed through theatres, discotheques and bars. According to statistics of the board, drug trafficking, consumption and criminals dealing in them have increased in the city.

Source: Vietnam News Agency/4 April 2005/ http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=05SOC040405