Two meth dealers busted in Phuket

PHUKET: Police arrested two dealers and seized more than 2 million baht in assets over the weekend.

Police first apprehended 41-year-old Jaruek Sittisak, also known as ‘Bang Dam Koh Kaew’, in Soi Koh Kaew 24 on Friday in possession of 200 pills of ya bah (methamphetamine).

“After we arrested him, we accompanied him to a shack where he kept his fishing gear and another stash of drugs,” said Phuket Provincial Police Commander Patchara Boonyasit.

“Inside, we found 2,978 pills of ya bah and 174.53 grams of ya ice [crystal methamphetamine].”

Police seized more than 2mn baht in assets, including two cars, two motorbikes, two bank books, a house, a homemade shotgun and a Chanote title.

“We believe he obtained all of this property with drug money,” said Maj Gen Patchara.

Mr Jaruek was charged with possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell and illegal possession of a firearm, Gen Patchara added.

The next day, July 4, police arrested Anon Pirom, 24, in Baan Kuku in possession of more than 1,000 ya bah pills.

Mr Anon, who had been on a police watchlist, was spotted near a Krung Thai Bank on Thepkrasattri Road at about 5:30pm.

“He spotted us and tried to run away,” said Gen Patchara. “However, officers caught up with him and were able to detain him.

“He was carrying a bag containing a total of 1,365 ya bah pills.”

Mr Anon told police that he had gotten the drugs from a Haat Yai-Phuket tour bus employee.

“He obtained 10,000 pills of ya bah and 1 kilogram of ya ice. He said that he had already distributed most of the drugs to his customers, and that the last seven packs were with him,” Gen Patchara explained.

Mr Anon, who has already served four and a half years in prison for drug possession, was charged with possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong