The suspects were apprehended in coordinated operations targeting the popular nightlife district, led by Kathu District Chief Anurak Poolsak and officers from the Kathu District unit of the Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor).
At around 3am yesterday (July 28), a man identified by officials only as ‘Mr Pok’ was arrested at Bangla Market. Officers seized 74 methamphetamine pills (ya bah) in the operation, which was also supported by officers from the Narcotics Control Board.
Later yesterday afternoon, around 3pm, a second man, ‘Mr A’, was arrested at a liquor store further along Bangla Rd. He was found in possession of 117 ya bah pills and 3.2 grammes of crystal meth (ya ice).
Both suspects were taken to Patong Police Station for further legal action, said an official report of the arrests.
The arrests are part of the nationwide-wide ‘No Drugs, No Dealers’ initiative to dismantle drug networks by targeting both dealers and individual users. Authorities said the strategy includes expanding investigations to trace drugs from users back to their suppliers.
The ‘No Drugs, No Dealers’ campaign in Phuket is being driven by leading provincial figures.
Officials say further operations are planned, with a focus on nightlife hotspots across Phuket.