The arrests were made yesterday (Aug 4) by investigators from Thalang Police Station, led by Pol Lt Col Preecha Baringphatthanakun and Pol Lt Col Suchart Luecha, under the command of Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum and Thalang Police Superintendent Pol Col Nikorn Chuthong.
Arrested were ‘Mr Bank’, 27, his girlfriend ‘Ms Pop’, 24, and ‘Ms Jee’, 29, identified by police as the alleged ringleader of the operation. The three face charges of jointly possessing Category 1 narcotics with intent to sell, while Jee faces an additional charge of drug use.
Police reported seizing a total of 6,007 ya bah pills, 337.83g of crystal meth, two mobile phones, a digital scale and other drug paraphernalia. The drugs were found during searches at a house in Moo 11, Thepkrasattri, Thalang, and a hotel in Ratsada.
According to Thalang Police, the arrests followed a tip-off from an informant that Jee was coordinating drug sales in the Thepkrasattri area, with Bank and Pop acting as couriers and handlers. The couple reportedly received B2,000-B2,500 per delivery.
Officers conducted surveillance before moving in on the residence, where they found Bank and Pop in a bedroom. Police observed the suspects discarding items out of windows as officers approached. A search of the nearby area revealed several packages of methamphetamine.
The pair were taken into custody, and further investigation led officers to Jee, who was arrested at a hotel in Ratsada. No additional drugs were found at the hotel.
During questioning, Jee admitted to ordering drugs from an unidentified Thai man, including three bundles of 6,000 meth pills for B27,000 per bundle and 300g of crystal meth for B120,000, She said she had been staying at the hotel for two days and had contacted Bank to collect and store the drugs, Thalang Police reported.
All three suspects were taken to Thalang Police Station for further legal proceedings. Police say the investigation is ongoing in an effort to identify further members of the trafficking network.