Phuket high-speed pursuit ends in fight, heroin bust

PHUKET: Two policemen on motorbikes chased two men believed to be carrying drugs through the early morning streets of Thalang today, fought with the pair and eventually arrested one of them – a vegetable seller – with almost 50 grams of heroin.

Alerted by a tip-off that Wig Nillawan, 52, and another man would be picking up drugs delivered on the 5:30am bus from Sungai Kolok, Thalang Police Deputy Superintendent Amnuay Kraiwutthianun and his partner waited for them at the public housing development across from the PTT gas station on Thepkrasattri Road.

“Mr Wig and his partner – who we only know by his nickname, ‘Kai’ – rode up on their motorcycle and picked up a satellite receiver box,” Lt Col Amnuay said.

“They drove off when they saw us. We chased after them into Soi Baan Lipon,” he said.

“We cut in front of them. Their bike fell down and we tried to arrest them,” he explained.

“But both men started to fight us. Mr Wig kicked and hit us and Mr Kai bit us.”

Eventually the police subdued Mr Wig, but Mr Kai managed to escape.

Mr Wig was carrying the satellite box, in which police found 49 grams of heroin in 10 small glass tubes. He was charged with possession of a Category 1 narcotic and resisting arrest, said Col Amnuay.

“The heroin, satellite receiver and their Honda Scoopy motorbike were seized as evidence,” he added.

Police are unable to provide a good description for Mr Kai, whom they are still searching for.

“Everything happened so fast,” Lt Col Amnuay said, “and we focused on chasing them, so I can’t remember precisely what he looked like,” he said.

“We hope that when we question Mr Wig we can get more information about the drugs and about Mr Kai,” he added.

— Thawit Bilabdullar