(UNTITLED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-01601R001000050002-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 16, 2001
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: August 1, 1972
• Content Type: REPORT

HOLD FOR RELEASE
Tuesday, August 1, 1972
10:00 a. m.
Charges that the United States was duped in the burning 'of 26 tons
of opium in Thailand last March 7th were debunked today by the Bureau of
Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD).
The charge was leveled yesterday by columnist Jack Anderson who
said the Thai government was victimized when "fodder" with only a slight
percentage of opium was burned by the Thais who hailed the destruction of
the narcotics.
Andrew C. Tartaglino, Deputy Director of the BNDD, termed
Anderson's charges "irresponsible" and damaging to the Thai-U.S. effort
to crackdown on the flow of drugs to illicit world markets.
He pointed out that two narcotics experts from BNDD were on hand
at a military base near Chiang Mai where the opium was collected and burned.
"A senior forensic chemist for BNDD, Joseph E. Koles, and BNDD
Southeast Asia Regional Director William T. Wanzeck collected samples at
random and tested smears from each of the 319 bags of raw opium that w? s
later burned by the Thais, " Tartaglino told a press conference today.
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Anderson said yesterday "either through corruption or stupidity,
the Thai officials failed to test the huge mounds of opium before they
soaked it with gasoline and put it to the torch."
At the press conference, Tartaglino introduced films of the Thai
opium burning which showed Koles and Wanzeck collecting and testing
samples from the stacks of bags containing the raw opium.
All the samples tested exhibited all the characteristics of genuine
opium, said Koles, a forensic chemist since 1958 who has tested thousands
of opium samples from allover the world.
The opium was in individually wrapped balls weighing between 185 and 191
pounds. The balls were wrapped in leaves, paper and plastic and sealed in
319 burlap bags.
Tartaglino reported the BNDD representatives sampled each of the
bags by randomly cutting into each with a knife and withdrawing a small
amount of the contents with a wooden applicator stick. Each stick was placed
in a test tube and later examined under a microscope.
Tartaglino said that both BNDD representatives were impressed with
the detailed security arrangements, cross-checks and verification procedures
exercised by the Thais in the collection, storage and destruction of the opium.
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FACT. SHEET
Allegations contained in the Jack Anderson Column
of Monday, July 31, 1972
and the rebuttal
Allegation:
1) "The real story is that Thailand
and, indirectly, the U. S. were
hornswoggled into believing that 26
tons of. opium were burned, when, in
fact, most of it was cheap fodder."
2) "Instead of loading raw opium,
they pushed 100 mules with fodder,
other plant matter, chemicals and
about 20 percent opium."
Fact:
1) Test materials taken at random
from the 319 bags scientifically
proved the content was, in fact, crude
opium.
2) The BNDD forensic chemist, Joseph
E. Koles, reports that the Thai
opium samples contained no more debris
and other plant material than is normally
contained in balls of crude opium. The
debris present came from the scraping
of poppy pods during the extraction of the
crude opium.
3) "In all, the cagy dope peddlers
passed off five tons of opium as
26 tons and pocketed more than
$2 million from the fantastic hoax."
4) "Either through corruption or
stupidity, the Thai officials failed
to test the huge mounds of 'opium' be-
fore they soaked it with gasoline and
put it to the torch. "
5) "Only as the smell of burning mo-
lasses wafted through Chiang Mai
did the Thais suspect they had been
had. Then, , it. was too late to do any-
thing but cover up their goof.
6) "And cover up they did. They
hastily recruited gangs of workers
to bury the 'hundreds. of millions of
dollars' worth of fodder and opium
ashes."
3) _ Each of the 319 bags was tested and
found to contain opium. There was
no hint of any adulterption to the 1 ags,
The tc,sN would 11aVO cdl Closed R, Thee;e
was no $2 million transaction and no hoax.
4) The film bespeaks the fact that each
of the bags of opium was tested, both
by the Thai government and by a senior
forensic chemist from BNDD.
5) There was no smell when the opium
was being burned due to the tremen-
dous heat. However, opium does have a
distinctively sweet odor which both
BNDD re resentatives recognized during
the sampling.
6) A military bulldozer was used to
scoop out a large trench prior to the
burning. There was so little residue,
however, that it could have been shoveled
into a much smaller hole. No gangs had
to be hastily recruited to bury the
leftovers.
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Statement of
Mr. Andrew C. Tartaglino
Deputy Director for Operations
Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs
Yesterday morning, the Jack Anderson column said the
U. S. Government and Thai authorities were victimized into
believing that 26 tons of opium. were burned and that what was
alleged to be opium was nothing more than cheap fodder mixed with
20 percent opium.
The Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs has the
major share of the responsibility- for coordinating this matter
with the Thai authorities, and we feel. it ,necessary to respond.
The .allegations 'in the article are totally inaccurate. Neither
the Thai nor U. S. Government was duped with regard to the operation.
The burning of the 26 tons of opium took place on March 7, 1972.
The opium was contained in 319 sealed burlap bags, each weighing
about 190 pounds, The bags contained 20 opium balls which were
wrapped in leaves, paper or plastic.
Contrary to what Mr. Anderson reports; the Thai Government
did test the opium before buying it. And our chemist tested it before
it was burned. There is no question: Xttwas opium.
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Mr. William T. Wanzeck, the 13NDD Regional Director in
Southeast Asia for the past six years, was present for the burning.
He took the samples which were analyzed by Mr. Joseph E. Koles,
a senior forensic chemist with the Bureau. There was no question
in either man's mind that the sacks contained anything other than
opium. Both officials also examined the security arrangements
made by the Thai authorities and were highly impressed by the
entire operation. Messrs. Wanzeck and Koles are here today and
will be available to respond to your questions in their areas of
responsibility, as will I.
As Tor Mr. Anderson, if the allegations which appeared in
his column had been checked with the Bureau of Narcotics and
Dangerous Drugs, we would have offered the same evidence we
are giving you here today.
The Thai. Government has stepped up its anti=drug activities
and is serious in its efforts to shut off the flow of drugs from
Southeast Asia to the United 'States. The fact sheet which you
were: given with my statement attests to their diligence.
We didn't ask you to come here today just to listen to what
we had to say. We also have something to show you. Please bear
with us for. these brief excerpts taken from hundreds of feet of film
shot during the burning operation.
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With the facts that we have set forth here today, the Bureau
of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs calls on Mr. Anderson to correct
the multitude of errors in his article. The American public is
entitled to the factual version. Equally as important, Thailand,
with its integrity at stake, is entitled to a clearing up of these
irresponsible charges.
The maximum success of this joint effort is based on mutual
respect and trust which has developed between the United States
and Thai narcotic teams.
To allow such misinformation to go unchallenged would be
to damage the Thai/U. S. crack down on the flow of narcotics into
the illicit world market, most particularly into this country. To
allow it to go uncorrected is up to Mr. Anderson.
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U.S./THAI COOPERATIVE EFFORT
(Since March 1972)
(1)
On March 8, 1972, American citizen Steven Roy Buck was arrested at
Hualampany Railroad Station in Bangkok on his return from Chiang Mai
where he had obtained nine pounds of pure heroin. Buck, a,25-year old
Vietnam war veteran, admitted to profiteering in the Vietnamese black
market and that he learned of the ready availability of heroin in. Thailand
while stationed there. Upon his discharge and return to the United States
he entered into a conspiracy to smuggle heroin from Thailand to the States.
He recruited at least five young female couriers who were to carry the
contraband back in their underclothing. At least one successful trip had
been accomplished prior to Buck's arrest.
On March 14, 1972, four American teanage girls were arrested by Thai
Police after they arrived in Bangkok to assist Buck in smuggling the heroin
back to the States. , Opium and marihuana were found.in their possession.
The girls admitted that Buck was paying them $2, 000 each to smuggle the
drugs.
(2) Following a period of three month's undercover negotiations, a delivery of
eight pounds of pure heroin was made to a BNDD agent-in Bangkok on March 14
0 Z3
by Singsa Saechian at which time he was arrested by Thai police. Singsa
admitted to being a long-time trafficker. According to the police, Singsa
obtained the heroin from Chiang Mai Province in Northern Thailand.
(3),
In April a source reported that suspects working out of Visitors Center
Tourist Agency in Bangkok were selling pure heroin to American tourists.
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A BNDD agent was introduced to the suspects and negotiated for a delivery
of three pounds of heroin. Upon delivery the suspects, Phisit Viwariathira
and Sutichai, were arrested by Thai Police.
(4) On May 9 following an undercover investigation by BNDD agent, Artit
Irithaphuri was arrested as he, delivered approximately three pounds of
pure heroin. This investigation was closely coordinated with Thai police
and U. S. Air Force's Office of Special- Investigation. Artit is a principal
source, of supply for U. S. military personnel at Ubon Air Force Base and
distributes heroin in both Ubon, Bangkok and Nakhon Phanom.
(5)
On May 26, American citizen Thomas Gary Caudill was arrested by Thai
police assisted by BNDD at a Bangkok hotel in possession of approximately
500 LSD "orange sunshine" tablets and small amounts 'of marihuana and
hashish. This is the largest seizure of LSD ever made in Thailand and
represents the first case- made since the passage of Thai law against LSD.
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(6) June 9, Thai police arrested one subject after he delivered 9 1/4 pounds of
pure #4 heroin to BNDD undercover agent, as result of extensive undercover
negotiations.
(7) Also on June 9 -- Acting on information provided by BNDD informant, BNDD
agents and Thai Special Narcotics officers raided a compound in Iaampang,
seizing approximately 3, 520 pounds of raw opium, a large number of con-
tainers of chemicals, and two liquid transport trucks which had been modified
to conceal contraband. Four persons were arrested.
(8) July 8 -- Thailand task force officers, Chaing Mai BNDD personnel and Border
Patrol Police conducted simultaneous raids on three villages in remote Chiang
Doa District. Raids resulted in four separate seizures totaling 646 pounds of
crude opium, two M-1 carbines, one semi-automatic pistol and one hand;
grenade. Two subjects were arrested, including a Thai police sergeant major
who was found in possession of approximately 108 pounds of the opium, an
unauthorized weapon and ordinance. Two others are subject to arrest when
located..
(9) July 15, BNDD Bangkok agents assisted Thai Police in executing a raid at a
Bangkok residence. One suspect attempted to flee but was captured by Thai
police. Arrested inside the premises was a 36-year old Chinese male'.
Seized at the premises were 51. 7 pounds of #3 "red rock" heroin.
The premises was used as a laboratory for production of #3 heroin and one
person arrested is believed to be the chemist. Many items of laboratory
'paraphernalia were found on the premises. A loaded . 38 caliber revolver
was also seized.
(10)
July 24 -- Sweeping down on two compounds in the Mae- Sai area of Northern
Thailand, BNDD agents and officer of the Thai Special Narcotics Office seized
more than three and a half tons of opium, guns, rifles and vehicles used to
transport the narcotics to clandestine markets in Bangkok.
On Sunday (July 23), Thai police and BNDD agents hit a compound at Doi Paa
Mii and seized 138 pounds of raw opium, rifles and a grenade launcher.
The next day (July 24) the U. S. and Thai team raided a second compound in
the area seizing 4, 818 pounds of raw opium, 776 pounds of smoking opium,
686 pounds of morphine and 15 pounds of heroin. The agents arrested six
persons, seized five guns and two vehicles.
The total U. S. illitict street value of the narcotics seized on July 23 and 24
was estimated at $249 million.
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