Teenage couple busted for dealing drugs

PHUKET TOWN: Police arrested two teenagers suspected of selling ya bah (methamphetamine) in Phuket Town on Saturday. The Phuket Special Unit Police force, led by Pol Capt Suwarith Prommul, nabbed Weerayut Puangmalai, 19, and his 17-year-old girlfriend, at around 2 pm in their rented room on Soi Pachanee, Rassadanusorn Rd. Pol Capt Chokchai Suthimake said that Weerayut was a repeat offender who had only recently been released from youth detention. Police say they received a report that the couple appeared to be selling drugs from their home. “After the tip-off, we set up surveillance to see if it was true,” said Capt Chokchai. “On Saturday, Weerayut spotted us. He must have realized we were police because he fled into his room. We moved in quickly to search the home before any evidence could be destroyed.” Police found 440 ya bah pills, four tubes of heroin, 158,000 baht in cash and a 9mm automatic pistol, along with several items that the couple had allegedly bought with their drug profits. After the arrests, Weerayut confessed to, and was charged with, possession of ya bah and heroin with intent to sell, and placed in custody at the Phuket Provincial Prison. His girlfriend is being held in custody at the Juvenile Observation and Protection Center.