Drug bust nets over 5,000 ya bah pills

PHUKET CITY: A police drug bust on Wednesday resulted in two arrests and the seizure of 5,394 ya bah pills (methamphetamine), 41 kilograms of marijuana and over one million baht in cash and gold jewelry. Police are still looking for one more suspect in the case.

The operation was led by Pol Lt Col Teeranat Kademee, Inspector of the Phuket Provincial Police drug suppression unit, and carried out jointly by officers from the Phuket Tourist Police.

Col Teeranat explained that as part of an investigation, undercover agents had arranged to buy 40,000 ya bah pills from Sakchai Rangsri, 39, from Trang, on Wednesday. The suspect was arrested that morning in possession of 194 ya bah pills.

At Sakchai’s home on Narisorn Rd in Phuket City, officers arrested Amporn Kraisorn, 29, also from Trang. A search of the home yielded 802,500 baht in cash, gold jewelry valued at 234,580 baht, a .357mm pistol and a .38mm pistol with ammunition. Both guns were registered, but not in the name of the suspects, Col Teeranat said.

The pair were questioned at Phuket City Police Station, where they apparently named their supplier as Aroon Janniyom.

Police yesterday received permission from Aroon’s landlord to search his home in Kietsin Village, Rassada Village 2. Aroon was not at home at the time of the raid.

Inside the home officers seized 5,200 ya bah pills and 41 kilograms of marijuana with a total value of 3.7 million baht. Three cars and two motorbikes were also seized.

Indicating that the drug ring was a family-run business, the house also contained a photo of suspect Amporn Kraisorn along with one of K. Aroon’s wife, who is a niece of Amporn.

Police are seeking a warrant for the arrest of K. Aroon, while the confiscated drugs and other seized items have been turned over to Phuket City Police as evidence in the case, Col Teeranat said.