B15m for drug dealer bounties

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has approved a budget of 15 million baht to fund this year's bounty programme targeting 200 major drug traffickers.

- WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

The initiative has already led to the capture of the transnational drug lord Ong Kim Wah, resulting in the reduction of crystal meth supply in the market by 40%.

ONCB Secretary-General Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon yesterday announced that the budget had been approved, saying the bounty programme has already disbursed 26.68 million baht in rewards and led to the domestic and international arrests of 29 individuals, including Ong.