Phuket’s fungicide frenzy: Patong crackdown on magic mushrooms keeps the tourist hub trippin’ free

The bustling tourist hub of Patong, Phuket, is witnessing a relentless crackdown by local law enforcement against the illicit trade of hallucinogenic fungi, commonly known as magic mushrooms. This campaign was further intensified with the recent apprehension of two individuals on the vibrant Bangla Road.

The duo was detained in the wee hours of November 8 at the popular “Puff Puff Shop”, as revealed in a police post on social media. The identities of the suspects, however, were not disclosed in the police’s online briefing.

Following the arrest, an assortment of items was seized, indicative of the illicit activity. The accused were subsequently escorted to the Patong Police Station, where they were charged. The charges levied against them include the joint sale and possession of a Category 5 narcotic without authorisation.

In addition to this, the pair were also indicted for unlawfully selling modern medicine, as confirmed by the Patong Police.

This particular police raid was not an isolated incident. The swoop on the Puff Puff Shop came on the heels of an earlier operation, during which a vendor was apprehended for unauthorized sales of the illegal fungi in the early hours of the previous Monday.

The local enforcement’s rigorous campaign against the trade of magic mushrooms coincides with the recent inspection of Bangla Road by the national Tourist Police chief, Major General Saksira. This escalating enforcement drive underlines the authorities’ commitment to safeguarding the town’s reputation as a safe and inviting location for tourists.

On Tuesday, police swooped on a local shop, apprehending one individual for the illegal sale of mushrooms. The Patong Police confirmed the raid, which took place around 12.10am.

The illicit merchandise seized by the police was an assortment of mushrooms, each variety carefully stored in separate jars.

The report stated that a brochure, advertising the mushrooms for sale, was also recovered from the scene. However, the report refrained from revealing the identity of the arrestee or the precise location of the shop. read more about the story HERE.