The arrest, announced at a press conference on Apr 18, was the result of a coordinated effort led by the Thalang District Administrative Special Operations Unit
Also present at the briefing were Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong, Phuket Provincial Chief Administration Officer (Palad) Thiraphong Chuaychu and Thalang District Chief Siwat Rawangkun.
Vice Governor Adul said officers received a tip-off about a man suspected of selling drugs to teenagers in Baan Yamu, in Moo 7, Pa Khlok, and the surrounding areas.
Acting on the information, officers arranged for an undercover agent to purchase 100 methamphetamine pills (ya bah) for B2,400. The suspect, identified only as ‘James’ (name withheld by authorities), was arrested at the pre-arranged meeting spot along a roadside in Baan Yamu at 3pm that day.
Police seized 101 methamphetamine pills and the marked money used in the sting. During questioning, James reportedly confessed to hiding more drugs in nearby bushes within a rubber plantation.
A subsequent search uncovered a major stash of 6,932 ya bah pills and 182.97 grammes of crystal meth (ya ice).
Vice Governor Adul said the operation was part of an ongoing crackdown aimed at reducing drug-related crime and improving public safety in Phuket Province.