Police bust karaoke selling ya bah

PHUKET TOWN: Teerawit “Jiew” Saefu, the 32-year-old owner of Nong Kim Karaoke on Soi Sri Sena, was arrested during a police raid on Tuesday on drugs charges. Two minors were also arrested. Pol Maj Sanya Thongsawat of Phuket Town Police Station said that sources had informed him that ya bah (methamphetamine) was for sale at the karaoke bar, near the former Phaya Thai Hospital. At 4 pm on Tuesday, Lt Col Prakarn Pemvassana and assisting officers began surveillance of the bar. During the stakeout they saw many fishing boat workers go in and out of the place. Undercover officers then entered the bar and told Jiew they wanted to buy ya bah worth 4,500 baht. When Jiew handed over the pills, the police revealed their identity and arrested him. Searching the bar after the bust, police found 1,100 ya bah pills and cash totaling 1,450 baht. In accommodation at the back of the building, they found a 17-year-old waitress and a 14-year-old girl, each of whom was found to be in possession of one ya bah pill. Both were charged with possession. Jiew was charged with trafficking and possession of ya bah and is being held in Phuket Provincial Prison pending trial.