The operation, led by the Phuket Provincial Administration in collaboration with the Thalang and Kathu District offices, was conducted as part of the ongoing ‘No Drugs, No Dealers’ campaign to build drug-free communities in line with Ministry of Interior policy, highlighted an official report of the arrests.
The special operations team, led by Phuket Provincial Defense Officers Akara Suwatthikul and Jiradej Burarak, and supported by members of the Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor), first made arrests in Thalang targeting low-level dealers. Acting on intelligence, they expanded the operation to Kathu to dismantle larger networks linked to the local trade.
The arrests in Kathu led to the seizure of five bundles containing approximately 10,000 ya bah pills, two mobile phones believed to have been used in the drug trade and a Honda Scoopy motorbike.
Two suspects, identified only by the pseudonyms ‘Mr Jay’, 32, and ‘Mr Kla’, 33, were taken into custody during the raid, which occurred along the side of a road in Baan Ketho, Kathu.
Both men were charged with joint possession of Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute, attempted illegal distribution, and illegal drug use.
The suspects and the seized evidence were handed over to Kathu Police for further legal proceedings.
The arrests follow Phuket Provincial Police yesterday reporting the arrests of four suspects for drug offences, including three arrests also made in Kathu.
The raids by Phuket Provincial Police were led on the ground by Pol Lt Col Phichit Thongto and officers from the Phuket Provincial Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau.
In their first arrest, officers took Sompong ‘Toi’ Wongsen, 40, in custody and conducted a search at another location. The two locations were given as a daily rental room in Moo 4 and a house in Moo 6, both in Kathu.
Seized items included 24.30 grammes of crystal meth (ya ice), two ya bah pills, one homemade firearm, four 12-gauge cartridges and a mobile phone allegedly used in drug trafficking
Sompong was taken to Kathu Police Station and charged with possession and sale of Category 1 narcotics without permission, illegal use of narcotics and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
In a second case in Kathu, officers arrested Chaliya ‘Ying’ Bupphachat, 40, originally from Nakhon Phanom, at a house in Soi Singthao Thani 3, in Moo 6.
Seized items included 5.08g of crystal meth, one digital scale, drug paraphernalia and one mobile phone used in drug-related activity.
Ms Chaliya was also handed over to Kathu Police and charged with sale of Category 1 narcotics and illegal drug use.
At the same property in Soi Singthao Thani 3, police also arrested Nusara ‘Nuch’ Natthakulchai, 43, from Nakhon Ratchasima. Items seized included 1.76g of crystal meth and drug paraphernalia.
She was charged with possession and illegal use of Category 1 narcotics, and likewise taken to Kathu Police Station to face charges.
In Phuket Town, police took Charuwat ‘Boy’ Ruangrak, 35, into custody in Soi Surin 3, Talat Yai.
Seized items included 4.51g of crystal meth, two digital scales, one mobile phone, a green GPX Tuscany150 Keyless motorcycle, valued at about B100,000, seized under the Narcotics Act
Mr Charuwat faces charges of drug distribution and illegal drug use. He was transferred to Phuket City Police Station for prosecution.
In their report, Phuket Provincial Police said investigations into all four cases were ongoing, and additional arrests may follow.