Ya Ba-laced Beer Seized In Pub Raid

PHUKET TOWN: Authorities seized draft beer from a popular pub early Saturday morning after a preliminary test indicated it had been laced with amphetamines. Tourist Police and Phuket Narcotics Control officers raided the Kok Ma Pub on Tilok U-Thit 1 Road at around 2 a.m. following a tip from concerned parents alleging that the venue was admitting underage patrons and offering illicit drugs for sale. ID card checks were performed on the more than 500 patrons inside the pub. According to Tourist Police, three youths, two males and one female, aged between 14 and 17, were taken into custody and brought to the Muang District Police Station where they were charged with underage drinking. During their drug check of the premises, narcotics officers tested draft beer being dispensed from one of the taps. Tourist Police reported that a preliminary test indicated the presence of the amphetamine known locally as ya ba. Authorities believe the amphetamine-laced beer was sold to pub patrons upon request. The pub manager, Somsak Sangpradaup, was questioned by Muang district police and later released. No action was taken against the pub or its management pending further laboratory analysis of the seized beer. Last week’s raid was the second in recent months. In September, patrons of the ‘At Ease Pub’ in Phuket Town were subjected to on-site drug testing by narcotics officers and the Tourist Police.