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.