Phuket Police net fishy drug dealer in possession of B3mn worth of drugs

PHUKET: A Phuket aquarium shop owner was arrested last night in possession of 12,000 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills and 230 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine).

Police moved in to make the arrest after being tipped off about a “big-time” drug distributor who owns an aquarium shop near Bus Terminal 1 in Phuket Town, said Phuket Provincial Commander Krajang Suwannarat.

“At about 8pm we went to the shop to arrest Weerayuth Sansakrit, 30. We found Mr Weerayuth there, but we did not find any drugs,” said Gen Krajang.

However, officers then went to Mr Weerayuth’s room on Pracha U Thit 1 Road in Rassada.

“In the room we found 12,000 ya bah pills and 230 grams of ya ice hidden in the ceiling. We also found a .22 handgun and five rounds of ammunition for it,” explained Gen Krajang.

“The estimated value of drugs seized was about 3 million baht.”

Mr Weerayuth admitted to police that he had been imprisoned on drug charges before, and that he knew of a drug network within a prison in Northern Thailand.

“We are investigating the alleged drug network,” said Gen Krajang.

Police declined to name the prison.

Mr Weerayuth was charged with possession of a Category 1 Drug with intent to sell, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

— Woranut Pechdee