Incineration of illicit drugs worth 20 billion baht

BANGKOK, June 26 (TNA) -- About 9.3 tons of narcotics from finalized criminal cases were incinerated in Ayutthaya province on June 26, the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Dr Thawat Soontharajan, vice minister of health, presided over the 47th incineration at the Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate in Bang Pa-in district. The destroyed narcotics worth about 20 billion baht included 87 million speed pills, 1.18 tons of crystal methamphetamine and 169 kilograms of heroin. Wanchai Sattayawuthipong, secretary-general of the Food and Drug Administration, said drug incineration had started in 1977 and since then 122.4 tons of narcotics worth about 184 billion baht had been destroyed. Methamphetamine and amphetamine formed the lion’s share. Apart from the incineration, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board and partners conducted activities to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. They included the presentation of honorary plaques to people and organizations with outstanding contributions to anti-narcotic efforts, anti-narcotic campaigns led by famous persons, a running event to promote anti-drug efforts, a contest of infographics and video clips on drug addicts and an auction of assets related to narcotic cases. (TNA)