Phuket City Police Chief Pol Col Chatree Chukaew confirmed that the arrests were made after a video clip circulated on social media on Aug 27 showing a young man firing a pistol in the Ratsada mangroves.
Police investigators reviewed CCTV footage and traced the motorcycle used in the clip to a rented house in Soi Yodsane 1, Chalong. Officers moved in at about 1am yesterday morning (Aug 29), where they arrested two Myanmar nationals: Nge Htwe Don, 34, also known as ‘Mr Screw’, and Aye Thu, 32.
Inside the residence, officers discovered 22.6 grammes of crystal meth (ya ice), 175 meth pills (ya bah), a Norinco pistol, five rounds of 9mm ammunition, three motorbikes and B107,510 in cash.
During questioning, Nge Htwe Don admitted to practicing shooting in the mangroves and confessed that the drugs were intended for distribution among Myanmar workers in Phuket Town and Chalong. He also told police he had bought the firearm for personal use.
Both suspects were taken to Phuket City Police Station for formal charges. They face joint charges of possession of Category 1 narcotics with intent to distribute. Nge Htwe Don faces additional charges of illegal possession of a firearm and being in the Kingdom without legal permission.
Pol Col Chatree praised his investigation team for acting swiftly, noting that the case stemmed from quick police response to public concerns about the video circulating online.
The suspects remain in custody while further legal proceedings continue.