Teams from the Kathu District Office, Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor), Patong Police, Kathu District Public Health Office and Patong Municipality conducted urine tests on employees at the Illuzion nightclub on Bangla Rd on Wednesday night (Aug 27).
A total of 76 people were tested, with one person found positive for drug use. The individual has since been referred to treatment.
Officials confirmed that investigations will be expanded to trace drug dealers connected to users, following the ‘one user one dealer’ policy designed to identify and target larger suppliers and networks.
Kathu District Office also reported another sweep in Patong that led to the arrest of a local drug dealer on Aug 17. The suspect, identified only as ‘Mr A’, was found in possession of 4.06 grammes of crystal meth in front of a hotel on Phra Mettha Rd. He was charged with possession of a Category 1 narcotic with intent to sell and handed over to Patong Police along with the seized evidence.
Kathu District Chief Akkaraphon Suthirak Chittsuphap said the dual operations reflect authorities’ determination to tackle drug problems at both the user and dealer levels. “We are committed to cutting drug networks at their roots to build a safer, drug-free community,” he said.
The ‘No Drugs, No Dealers’ campaign is set to continue with further coordinated operations, targeting both street-level users and higher-level suppliers across Kathu District.