Trend of Illicit Drugs Seized and Analyzed during 2017–2021 at Police Forensic Science Center 5, Thailand
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze trends in illicit seized drugs submitted to investigate at the Police Forensic Center 5 between 2017 and 2021. These drugs were seized by officers from the Provincial Police Region 5, who were responsible for overseeing the northern region of Thailand. A total of 10,443 cases (consisting of 14,481 items) were examined at the Police Forensic Center 5, with a combined weight of 7,281.2 kilograms. Yaba (methamphetamine tablet) was the majority of seizures (80.4%). The second most commonly seized was marijuana (12.1%), and showing an increasing trend over time. There was a significant percentage change from 2019 to 2020, with a staggering increase of 504.3%. This spike occurred prior to the implementation of the policy allowing the use of marijuana for medical and other purposes. A large different rate compared with the previous period (marijuana was found 6.2%). The third most frequently encountered drug was Ice (crystal methamphetamine hydrochloride), comprising 5.1% of the total seizures. Geographic information system (GIS) maps revealed areas with a high prevalence of illicit seized drug cases such as Yaba and Ice, which were found in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces, the neighboring borders countries, and the Golden Triangle, which often served as a smuggling route.
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