Bangkok-based ya bah dealer arrested

PHUKET: Police on Friday arrested a Bangkok-based ya bah dealer and his local associate, and seized 2,100 pills of the drug. Pol Maj Manat Iamchareonchaikul, an inspector with the Phuket Narcotics Police, told the Gazette that 36-year-old Narumol Bormuang, arrested July 7 on charges of possessing and trafficking in ya bah (methamphetamine), gave them information about the two men, Winai Jaikla, 25, from Bangkok and Sa’ad Homhuan, 37, from Phuket. “Narumol told us that Winai frequently came from Bangkok, usually staying in the same hotel and renting a white Suzuki Caribian, always from the same rental shop. She also said that Winai was usually accompanied by Sa’ad.” Police followed Winai, and watched as he collected pills from various caches around the island, some of them buried in the ground. Wanting to catch him with his local associate, they waited until he arrived at Sa’ad’s home in Baan Pa Klock, then arrested both men. The arresting officers found Winai in possession of 600 ya bah pills. A search of Sa’ad’s house turned up a further 1,500 pills. Both men are currently being held in Phuket Provincial Prison, awaiting trial.