Son of former Phuket leader arrested in major drug trafficking bust

Police in Phuket arrested the son of a former local leader for his involvement in a major drug trafficking network. The raid uncovered a substantial amount of crystal methamphetamine, firearms, and ammunition.

Colonel Somsak Thongkliang of Kamala Police Station reported the arrest of Jesdaporn to Major General Sinlert Sukhun, Commander of the Phuket Provincial Police. This operation followed an extensive investigation by Kamala Police’s investigative team, who had been tracking Jesdaporn’s activities for some time.

Yesterday, August 25 at 4pm, the investigative team received a tip-off that a group of teenagers was gathering to use drugs at a hut on Kamala mountain, near the Bang Wan Waterfall in Kamala sub-district. The hut belonged to Jesdaporn, a significant figure in the local drug trade. The team had been monitoring his activities closely.

Upon receiving this information, Col. Somsak, along with the investigative team, planned and executed a raid on Kamala Mountain. Armed officers trekked to the hut, where they discovered Jesdaporn. The investigative team, then moved in to apprehend him and search the premises.

The search revealed eight transparent plastic bags containing nearly half a kilogramme of crystal methamphetamine, another smaller bag, and a digital scale. Additionally, they found six bundles of plastic bags for repackaging drugs, a KRICO Germany .22 calibre rifle equipped with a Discovery scope, ten rounds of .22 calibre bullets, and two modified airsoft guns. All items were seized as evidence.

Jesdaporn confessed that all the crystal methamphetamine belonged to him, purchased four months ago from an unidentified Thai man for 100,000 baht. He used a private courier service for delivery and repackaged the drugs for sale to local customers in Kamala.

He also admitted owning the rifle and ammunition, which he bought from an unnamed man in Kamala for 5,000 baht, intending to use it to shoot squirrels in his durian orchard.

Jesdaporn was charged with drug trafficking and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He admitted to the charges and was taken into custody by Kamala Police.

During the raid, the investigative team also arrested Muhammad Helmi bin Jasni, a 30 year old Malaysian national, and another individual named Prateep. They were found in possession of 1.3 grammes of crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Both displayed suspicious behaviour during Jesdaporn’s arrest and were also taken into custody by Kamala Police on charges of drug use, reported KhaoSod.