Seven cops jailed for extorting drug dealer

Seven policemen have each been sentenced to eight years’ jail and fined 800,000 baht for extorting money from a drug dealer in Yala and selling seized methamphetamines to local youths.

The Yala provincial court passed sentence on the seven men on Wednesday, Thai media reported.

The seven are: Pol Snr Sgt Maj Jirasak Nooplod, Pol Snr Sgt Maj Sitthapak Chandaeng, Pol Sgt Siroj Jaikaewthi, Pol Sgt Amphol Ngu-tul, Pol Sgt Narongdet Shinpakdi, Pol Cpl Thongchai Nurak and Pol Cpl Nathasorn Nuanmai.

They were members of Yala police station’s special operations unit.

They were charged following a complaint that on Dec 21 they had demanded 100,000 baht from a drug dealer caught with 200 meth pills.

The dealer had given them 50,000 baht as a down payment. The officers seized the drugs. They kept some for their own use, but sold most of them to local youths. 

Pol Maj Gen…