Fruitful bust: Yasothon orchard owner caught with guns and Yaba

Police arrested a Thai orchard owner in the Isaan province of Yasothon for the illegal possession of several guns and 78 methamphetamine tablets, also known as Yaba, found in his home. He claimed he did not use the drug as it was a gift for his employees.

Locals living near the fruit orchard in the Lerng Nokta district of Yasothon province urged police to raid the house of the orchard owner, 35 year old Ariyachart, also known as Poppy, after they frequently heard multiple gunshots within the premises.

Officers from the Yasothon Provincial Police acted on the complaint, raiding Poppy’s home on the morning of Wednesday, August 22. Poppy admitted to being the homeowner and led police to his gun storage room.

Officers discovered 13 pistols and rifles, 58 bullets, and 200 bullet shells in his collection. Most of them were blank guns that had been modified for live ammunition. His pickup truck and two bank accounts were confiscated for further investigation.

During a search of Poppy’s home, officers found a pack of drugs containing 78 tablets of Yaba. Poppy insisted that he had never used the drug but had prepared them for his employees who worked in his orchard.

PPTV HD reported that Poppy had a perfect profile. He graduated with a doctorate from a prestigious university in the Isaan and owned nearly 40 acres of orchard. Shooting sports and firearm collection were his hobbies.

Poppy faces three charges including:

• Section 7 of the Act on Firearms, Ammunition, Explosive, Fireworks, and Imitation Firearm: possessing a gun without permission. The punishment will be imprisonment for up to 10 years, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.
• Section 145 of the Narcotics Control Act: possessing Category 1 drug (methamphetamine) for sale. The penalty is imprisonment from two to 20 years and a fine of 200,000 to 2 million baht.
• Section 162 of the Narcotics Control Act: using Category 1 drug (methamphetamine). The penalty is imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.