Three arrested in Patong ya bah bust

PATONG: Kathu Police arrested three young men for possession of almost 200 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills in the early hours of yesterday morning.

At 1:30 am, an investigation team from Kathu District Police Station led by Maj Serm Kwannimit arrested the men in a rented room at 26/3 Soi King Fashion, off Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd.

The trio were identified as Jamorn “Bird” Trakulta, 20, from Phetchabun; Sompong “Pong” Sasana, 23, from Buri Ram; and a 17-year-old identified only as “Em”, from Nakhon Sawan.

Kathu Police Duty Officer Sub Lt Naruwat Phuttawiro told the Gazette that 191 pills were seized: 135 pills from Jamorn; 36 pills from Sompong; and 20 pills from Em.

The drugs seized had a street value of about 95,500 baht.

“The three said that they got the ya bah from a friend in Chiang Mai. They are small-time dealers who only recently moved to Phuket. They did not have much cash in their possession,” he said.

All three were charged with possession of a Class 1 narcotic with intent to sell.