Food still on table as armed drug dealer gives police the slip

PHUKET: Police are hunting an armed drug dealer who managed to flee his home before officers arrived last night to seize a cache of drugs worth more than 5 million baht and a number of firearms.

“When we arrived at the suspect’s home at Si Suchat Grand View 5 in Rassada, the air conditioner was still on and there was freshly prepared food in the kitchen, but the man was gone,” said Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Pinit Sirichai. “We assume that the suspect was tipped off about the raid.”

Prior to the search, police had yet to identify the man operating out of the house.

“During the raid, we were able to find the ID card of Anuwat Thongtan, 31, as well as numerous bank cards in his name. We suspect that he is the man we are looking for and will ask the court to issue an arrest warrant,” Col Pinit said.

Police also discovered four handguns, one silencer, 400 rounds of ammunition, 2.15 kilograms of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) and 1,469 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills, along with a number of other assets believed to be linked to criminal activity.

During the raid, a man claiming he was a taxi driver appeared at the home. However, he denied having any involvement with the drugs and had only come by to talk to the suspect about fixing a car, Col Pinit said. Police declined to name the man, but took him to the Phuket Provincial Police Station for further questioning.

Col Pinit expects to charge Mr Anuwat with possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell and illegal possession of firearms.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong