NAKHON RATCHASIMA – A sweeping anti-drug operation across Thailand’s northeastern province has uncovered alarming connections between narcotics networks and public officials, with 18 state employees arrested during Wednesday night’s raids, the Bangkok Post reported.

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The coordinated crackdown, dubbed “No Drugs No Dealers”, saw police and administrative officers conduct simultaneous raids across all 32 districts of the province. By Thursday morning, authorities had apprehended 345 major drug dealers and 395 minor dealers, all previously identified through community tip-offs.

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— Bangkok Post (@BangkokPostNews) August 14, 2025

Among those detained were nine municipal officers, seven village chiefs, and two defense volunteers, all immediately removed from their positions pending prosecution. Provincial Governor Chaiwat Chuenkosum emphasized a zero-tolerance policy, stating “no government worker will be exempt from consequences” in the fight against narcotics.

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In a parallel rehabilitation effort, officials have enrolled 8,376 drug addicts into treatment programs aimed at breaking the cycle of substance abuse. The operation marks one of the province’s most significant drug purges in recent years, exposing deep-rooted corruption within local institutions.

-Thailand News (TN)