Phuket Police arrest US drugs fugitive

PHUKET: Officers led by Lt Gen Preawphan Damapong, the assistant police commissioner in charge of national drug suppression, this afternoon moved in and arrested American Joseph Manuel Hunter, 48, at his rented home in Kathu.

The squad of officers from Phuket Immigration and the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok arrived at the home, located near the Loch Palm Golf Course, at about 5pm.

Hunter is wanted for smuggling drugs into the US, Capt Angkarn Yasanop of Phuket Immigration explained to the Phuket Gazette.

“We were informed by the US Embassy in Bangkok today that Mr Hunter was in Phuket. A New York District Court issued a warrant for his arrest on July 17,” he said.

“He used his passport to enter Thailand at Phuket Airport on September 6 and was allowed to stay in Thailand until October 5. However, his passport was revoked by the US authorities on September 19,” he added.

Hunter was taken into custody and handed over to the Crime Suppression Division officers, who have already transported him to Bangkok

“There will be a press conference to announce the arrest of Mr Hunter at the Crime Suppression Division headquarters tomorrow,” Capt Angkarn said.

— Orawin Narabal