Police forces arrest and extort money from drug users in Thanbyuzayat

April 26, 2024

HURFOM: In Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State, the junta’s police forces arrest drug users but do not bring them to court. Instead, they threaten and extort money from them and their family members.

“On April 10th, the police force came to the village to arrest a drug dealer. They found just two pills but they demanded two million MMK. Then, they didn’t bring the case to the court and released the arrested dealer,” said a local source from Thanbyuzayat Township.

On April 12th, a drug user from a village in Thanbyuzayat Township was arrested and the police threatened his family, demanding they pay 10 million MMK for his release.

“They demanded 10 million MMK for the release of the person and a motorbike. The family was unable to pay that amount but agreed to a payment of 4 million MMK after some negotiation. The case didn’t even reach the police station, it was settled in the street,” said a local woman.

When they arrest drug abusers, the police threaten family members in person or by phone and extort money from them.

“One of my neighbors had to pay 2 million MMK on the day of his arrest. But it didn’t last for a week, the police demanded 900,000 MMK again. He had to move out from the village and stay in hiding (to avoid extortion from the police),” said a local source from Thanbyuzayat Township.

The rule of law has failed ever since the attempted coup and there has been a sharp rise in drug abuses in Mon State. Kratom leaf usage is the most popular drug, followed by WY tablets.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News