U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand -- On February 11, the United States donated electronic equipment with a value of approximately $30,000 to the Royal Thai Government to fight drug trafficking and transnational crime as part of a longstanding U.S.-Thai law enforcement partnership. Consul General Sean O’Neill, joined by DEA Chiang Mai Resident Agent in Charge John Grindean, presented the equipment to Narcotics Suppression Bureau’s (NSB) Pol. Lt. Col. Jirapong Khummee, Deputy Superintendent of the NSB Sub-Division 2, Division 3.

The equipment included 30 cameras for use by a joint Thai-U.S. task unit that combats drug trafficking in Thailand. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Chiang Mai Sensitive Investigative Unit (SIU) in Chiang Mai is a vetted task force comprised of investigators from the Royal Thai Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB); the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB); and the Provincial Police Narcotics Suppression Unit (PPNSU). DEA Agents and Intelligence Analyst are embedded in the unit and act as agent advisors to provide investigative support, operational funding, intelligence sharing and technical assistance to our Thai partners. The mission of the Sensitive Investigative Unit Program is to help Thai law enforcement successfully conduct complex drug investigations to detect, target, and dismantle major international drug trafficking organizations.

“Transnational crime affects citizens of all countries. The United States is proud to support Thailand in its fight against drug traffickers on Thailand’s borders so we can protect our families and strengthen the national security of both Thailand and the United States.” said Consul General Sean O’Neill. “U.S.-Thai security and law enforcement cooperation protects our families and communities in both countries.”