Police seize drugs, rifle in Phuket encroachment raid

PHUKET: Officers acting on a tip-off raided four shacks built in a protected Karon forest near Freedom Beach, south of Patong, yesterday and discovered a rifle, marijuana and wood-cutting equipment, but no people.

“It looks like the people staying there knew we were coming and ran away,” said Karon Village Chief (Kamnan) Winai Chidchiew.

“We found eggs that had just been cooked and were still hot.”

“This is the second time recently we’ve checked out a land encroachment complaint and failed to find suspects,” said Karon Deputy Superintendent Phiyaphat Srida.

The group of civil volunteers and officers from Muang District office and the Phuket Forest Department hiked about 30 minutes up steep slopes to reach the isolated location, where they seized a .22mm handmade rifle, an axe, a saw, five scythes, a shovel, a rake, a crowbar and 10.15 grams of marijuana.

“We will investigate the case and find the suspects,” Lt Col Phiyaphat said.

“The village headmen are doing their best to keep an eye on illegal activity in their areas, but I will ask police to patrol more frequently.”

— Saran Mitrarat