Body lotion bust uncovers Phuket motorbike, drug gang

PHUKET: Two shoplifters apprehended at a Phuket 7-Eleven store were later found to be involved in the theft of seven motorbikes and were dealers of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine), police announced yesterday.

Staff at the 7-Eleven store near Phuket International Airport informed police that a man and woman were caught on the store’s CCTV system stealing items from the shop.

Police arrived and detained Daorueng Budda and Tawan Dechjirachoti, both 28, for possession of five stolen bottles of Nivea body lotion that Ms Daorueng had placed in her shoulder bag.

During questioning, Mr Tawan admitted that he had also stolen motorbikes to pay for drugs, said police.

Acting on that information, Tah Chat Chai Police set up a “sting” operation, with plainclothes police officers posing as drug buyers.

The drug deal was held at an unreported location in Rassada, where police arrested a third member of the gang, Suphachai Wareesri, 28.

Mr Suphachai was found in possession of two bags of ya ice, four stolen motorbikes and 7,000 baht in cash.

A further three motorbikes were recovered by police after Mr Tawan admitted stealing them from Thalang and Phuket City areas.

Ms Daorueng, Mr Tawan and Mr Suphachai were charged with theft, receiving stolen property and selling drugs.

— Warisa Temram