Eight nabbed in Cherng Talay drug-ring bust

PHUKET: Cherng Talay Police have arrested eight people on drugs charges, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Decha Budnampeth announced yesterday.

Cherng Talay Police arrested Prasit Waharak, 31, from Phang Nga, in possession of ya bah (methamphetamine) in a sting operation at the Bang Tao weekend market, he explained.

After questioning Prasit, the officers arrested Thanongsak Phromdech, 32, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat; Somchai Nitaram, 32, from Nakhon Ratchasima; and Yuthana Khantikul, 32, and Isahak Hayeewaeyuso, 23, both from Bangkok.

All have been charged with possessing ya bah, Gen Decha said, adding that Isahak has been charged with possession with intent to sell or distribute the drug.

While questioning the five suspects, police learned that Yuthana ordered 400 pills from a dealer in Bangkok and had transferred payment to the dealer’s bank account. The dealer sent Isahak to deliver the pills in Phuket, Gen Decha said.

The interrogations also led to the arrest of Cherng Talay residents Saknarin Proksakul, 19, Atthachai Maneesri, 21, and Marina Prabpet, 19.

All three have been charged with possessing and selling ya Ice (crystal methamphetamine), he said.

In total, 457 ya bah pills were seized along with four packages of ya Ice with a total weight of 210 grams, as well as a white Honda Jazz car and four mobile phones.

Cherng Talay Police have been issued an arrest warrant for the dealer in Bangkok, a Thai, and will seize the money in that person’s account, Gen Decha said.

He added that police were now investigating leads of foreigners buying ya Ice and of one foreigner in Cherng Talay selling the drug.

“We can’t give the name of the foreigner involved in selling the drug, but police are keeping an eye on that person and are collecting evidence before moving to make an arrest,” Maj Gen Decha said.

A PGTV video of this story can be seen here.