Ladyboy busted dealing meth in Phuket Town

PHUKET: A ladyboy drug dealer in possession of 58.48 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) and 145,000 baht in cash was netted in a sting operation this morning in Phuket Town.

Police were informed by undercover officers that Thiwa Saengreung, 38, had been selling ya ice to teenagers in the area, said Lt Col Chaiyadej Kaiyarit, an inspector for the Crime Suppression Division 5 of the Central Investigation Bureau, which has jurisdiction in Phuket.

“We sent in an undercover officer to buy drugs from Ms Thiwa at her rental room on Mae Luan Road,” Lt Col Chaiyadej told the Phuket Gazette.

“We arrested her in possession of 58.48g of ya ice.”

Once in custody, Ms Thiwa told police that she had bought the drugs from a man who police named only as “Mr Fuse”.

“We then had Ms Thiwa set up an appointment with Mr Fuse outside of a 7-11 convenience store in Baan Kuku,” Col Chaiyadej explained.

Police saw Mr Fuse pull into the parking lot in a Toyota, said Col Chaiyadej.

“Unfortunately, as soon as our team started moving toward the car, Mr Fuse fled the scene,” Col Chaiyadej said.

Police are now hunting for Mr Fuse.

“Ms Thiwa was sent to Phuket City Police Station and will be charged for possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell,” he said.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong