Phuket meth mule nabbed at island bridge

PHUKET: Police last night arrested a drug runner at the Tah Chat Chai Checkpoint who confessed to smuggling drugs from Surat Thani and selling them in Phuket Town.

Acting on a tip-off, police stopped and searched a Honda Jazz being driven by Sitthichai Chusang, 39, at about 8:30pm while he was trying to leave the island.

Officers found only 300mg of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) hidden in a chewing gum container inside the car.

During questioning by police, Mr Sittichai confessed to buying drugs from a contact in his hometown of Surat Thani and bringing them into Phuket.

“Mr Sitthichai confessed that he bought all his drugs from a dealer based in Surat Thani,” said Kathu District Chief Administrative Officer Wisut Romin, whose office received the tip-off.

“He rented a room near Suan Luang [Rama IX Park, also known as King’s Park in Phuket Town] to sell drugs to residents in the area,” he added.

Police searched the rented room and found 500 pills of ya bah (methamphetamine) and 18 more bags of ya ice with a total weight of 22.6 grams.

“Mr Sittichai was charged with the possession, sale and distribution of a Category 1 narcotic,” Mr Wisut said.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong