DNA to be collected from prisoners to help fight drug gangs, Justice official says
Justice Ministry permanent secretary Pol Col Dusadee Arayawuth has instructed officials to collect DNA samples of inmates to compare with SIM cards and cell-phones seized in jails in three southernmost provinces, in a bid to arrest members of gangs dealin
Following a meeting yesterday with the Department of Special Investigation, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, the Office of Narcotics Control Board, the Corrections Department and related agencies, Dusadee said that officials had collected DNA samples from 1,724 mobile phones and 711 SIM cards seized since last October.
They also checked on the cell phones’ International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers and phone use records. The latter suggested contacts to members of gangs dealing in drugs.
To further prevent drug dealing |from behind bars, the ministry came |up with the idea to collect DNA samples from jail officials and 30,000 inmates who will be released each year, he said.
He said the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission’s requirement for all SIM cards to be registered in April, would help the authorities to arrest people involved in drug trafficking.