Video Report: Phuket drug dealer caught with AK-47

PHUKET: Police arrested a confessed drug dealer in possession of an AK-47 assault rifle and a homemade handgun at his hut near the mangroves of Pa Klok yesterday.

“We received a tip-off that an armed drug dealer was operating out of the hut, so we staked it out,” said Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Arayapan Pukbuakhao.

“We saw two men, who we have now identified as Adisak Homhuan and another man so far identified only as Kritsada ‘Ae’, enter the hut.”

As police presented themselves, the three men inside the shack fled into the mangroves.

Officers were able to catch only one of the suspects, Saranyu Salee, 42.

Inside the hut, police found 7,455 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills, an AK-47 assault rifle with five rounds of ammunition, a homemade handgun with six shotgun cartridges, three mobile phones, drug paraphernalia and 4,600 baht cash.

Mr Saranyu was charged for the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a weapon of war and possession of a Category 1 drug with intent to sell, Col Arayapan said.

“He confessed to all charges,” Col Arayapan added.

— Woranut Pechdee