Phuket worker camp raid turns up guns, drugs

PHUKET: Police arrested three suspects for possession of drugs and illegal firearms during a raid on a worker camp in Phuket yesterday.

Two of the Thai suspects were named as Chatchana Poosangka, 29 and Nattapong Rithidet, 19. A 16-year-old minor was not named.

“We had been keeping an eye on the camp as a number of teenagers were visiting it and acting very suspicious when they left. Once we were sure there was enough reason to raid the camp, we moved in,” said Lt Col Prasan Towon of the Thalang Police.

Police seized a homemade firearm with 21 rounds of ammunition, a .22 Smith & Wesson handgun with three rounds of ammunition, an additional seven bullets, 100 grams of kratom leaves, kratom juice and other paraphernalia.

All three suspects were charged with possession of a Category 5 Drug. Mr Chatchana, who confessed to owning the guns, was also charged for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, confirmed Col Prasan.

— Winai Sarot