Police shoot out drug dealer’s tyres in high-speed chase

PHUKET: Phuket police involved in a high-speed car chase with a drug dealer on Tuesday were forced to shoot out the front tyres of the suspect’s vehicle to stop her escape.

Roh Kaewdam, 49, fled the scene of a drug bust near Gems Gallery on the bypass road and headed north toward Bang Ku intersection in a pick-up truck with cops in hot pursuit.

“At about 2am on Tuesday, six officers in a police car chased down Mrs Roh, a suspected drug dealer, who was driving a pick-up. They were forced to shoot out the front tyres of her vehicle after she refused to pull over,” said Col Prawit Engchuan of Phuket Provincial Police.

Unable to drive any farther on flats, Mrs Roh’s vehicle came to a stop, Col Prawit said.

“Inside the vehicle we found a plastic bag containing 53 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills and 9.55 grams of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine).

“We then searched her and found another 658 ya bah pills in her pants pocket, bringing the total number of pills to 711,” said Col Prawit.

Mrs Roh was apprehended unexpectedly, following a tip-off that led police to first arrest Yakob ‘Baw’ Kaekpong, 26, on Monday morning with two ya bah pills.

Mr Yakob confessed to acquiring the pills from 21-year-old Sunee Chopngam, an associate of Mrs Roh.

“We set up a sting operation for Mr Yakob to meet with Ms Sunee at a location near Gems Gallery. When she tried to sell 2.8 grams of ya ice to Mr Yakob, we moved in and arrested her,” said Col Prawit.

After her arrest, Ms Sunee explained that she had arrived at the scene with Mrs Roh, who was still waiting in a pick-up truck parked only 50 meters away.

“Mrs Roh must have seen us arrest Ms Sunee, because she suddenly sped off – that’s when we gave chase,” said Col Prawit.

Ms Roh was taken to Phuket Provincial Police station for further questioning. She was charged with possession of a Category 1 narcotic with intent to sell, and remains in custody pending her court hearing.

“Through our questioning of Mrs Roh, we were able to collect more information about this drug network. That’s why we couldn’t release information about the arrest until now,” said Col Prawit.

Ms Sunee has also been charged with possession of a Category 1 narcotic with intent to sell, while Mr Yokob faces charges of possession.

Both suspects will remain in custody until their court hearings.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong