Triple penalty for drug-dealing police

The penalties imposed on drug-dealing policemen should be three times heavier than for civilians who commit similar offences, deputy police chief Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen said on Monday.

Pol Gen Pongsapat, speaking to investigators at Ayutthaya police station, said policemen who are responsible for drug suppression but instead get involved in the drug trade deserve heavier punishment.

While at the police station, Pol Gen Pongsapat interrogated Pol Snr Sgt Maj Boonsueb Chumyim, who has been arrested on charges of abuse of authority and taking drugs seized in legal cases with intent to sell them himself.

In his talk with police investigators at the station he stressed that in cases of police found to be involved in the drug trade they should recommend a penalty three times as great as for people outside the force.

Pol Gen Pongsapat also ordered that they quickly arrest the other four sacked police officers wanted under arrest warrants on drug charges.

He also visited the wives of the four sacked police officers to question them.