Russians and Iranians nabbed in drug raids

– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: A Russian and three Iranians have been arrested along with 496.52 grams of crystal meth worth 1.5 million baht in Bang Lamung district in Chon Buri and Phaya Thai in Bangkok, the Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) announced yesterday.

At a press conference, deputy commander Pol Col Chairoj Chaiya said that following the arrest of Russian Anton Petrovskiy, 45, with 700mg of “ice” in Bang Lamung’s Tambon Nong Preu on March 19, police arrested his Iranian supplier Akbar Mohamadi, 45, the next day with 8.32 grams of “ice” and a digital scale in Tambon Nong Preu.

On the weekend, two more Iranians were arrested – Asghar Keshavarz Afshar, 38, with 102 grams of “ice” in Tambon Na Kleu on Saturday, then Abolfazl Vakili, 41, at a Bangkok house, where he stayed for 10 years with his Thai wife, along with 385.5 grams of “ice” and a digital scale on Sunday.

NSB chief Pol Maj-General Supakit Srijantaranon said these foreigners allegedly operated in the same drug network that preys on foreign residents or tourists. The four were charged with possessing illicit drugs with intent to sell.

Meanwhile, Chon Buri police chief Nitipol Niamnoi yesterday announced that three other Russian tourists and two Thais were arrested along with 17 kilograms of marijuana in Bang Lamung district.

In February, customs officials found 10kg of marijuana in packages posted to Russia, sent from Pattaya, Jomtien and Map Ta Phut post offices.

Police later arrested Georgy Nyushkov, 28, Alelsei Druzhinin, 30, and Aleksei Samokhin, 26, and their alleged suppliers Kaewjai Thumaporn, 43, and Kanokphrom Wongsin, 28.

The first two men were charged with possessing and attempting to import marijuana, while Samokhin faces a charge of possession.

— Phuket Gazette Editors