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1972 the necessary support arrangements were made, quarters located, and the Thai enforcement officers assigned.
The primary mission of SNO is to provide for the greatest possible interdiction of narcotic substances and chemicals used in the produc- tion of opiates along the major surface routes of the north where the possibility of such interdiction is the greatest and to close down collection and storage points located along these routes. SNO has also targeted for destruction any narcotics conversion facilities which may be discovered in the area of its jurisdiction. As a necessary corollary. SNO has the responsibility for developing and utilizing tactical intelligence from clandestine sources. Further, it is prepared to move against narcotic couriers when information concerning their clandes- tine movement is developed.
As of August 15, 1972, including the commanding officer, SNO had a total of 37 officers and NCO's on active duty, positioned as follows: Chiang Mai Headquarters, 13; Lampang, 6; Chiang Rai, 6; Fang, 6; and Mae Sai, 6. It is estimated that operating expenses at these loca- tions will be between $4,000 and $5,000 per month which will be paid by the United States.
In its first few months of operation SNO has seized a total of 4,720 kilograms of opiates, the equivalent of some 17,050 pounds of raw opium. A synopsis of these major operations may be found in appen- dix E. (See p. 79.)
Technically an element of the 7th Sub-Division (narcotics enforce- ment) of the Crime Suppression Unit, Thai National Police Depart- ment, in practice SNO operates as a semi-independent strike force and its mandate provides for personnel input not only from the police but also from Customs, Excise, Border Patrol Police and the military. Other police elements in the north have been ordered by the Director General of the Thailand National Police Department (TNPD) not only to cooperate fully with SNO, but to deal directly in enforcement matters with its commander, a variation from the traditional Thai police system for diffusion of information and supply of intradepart- mental support between police units. In practice this means that the SNO commander can utilize, for example, the Police Aviation Divi- sion for logistical support and the Border Patrol Police for manpower augmentation for a given operation without previous specific approval of the TNPD Headquarters in Bangkok.
Unfortunately, this has not worked as well in practice as it should and SNO has had difficulty in obtaining aircraft or helicopter support to the extent required to conduct effective aerial surveillance opera- tions. The commander of SNO and U.S. officials in Chiang Mai are of the opinion that the United States should furnish aircraft to SNO as part of the U.S. assistance program. Some officials in the U.S. Agency for International Development disagree. They contend that the United States has already provided the Thai Government with an adequate number of aircraft and helicopters and that with proper coordination that Government could provide aerial support to SNO.
The Survey Team discussed this matter with officials at the U.S. Embassy in Thailand and in Washington, D.C., and was told that it was receiving active consideration. Some officials in Washington
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