Phuket Police seize methamphetamine from local dealers

As reported in the Phuket Gazette, a significant raid on a local drug cartel saw Phuket Provincial Police seize 115, 000 baht in cash and 1,384 ya bah pills, a type of methamphetamine. It was a dramatic event involving a car chase and exchange of gunfire.

The eventual raid begun with a routine arrest of a local man on June 18th. The man, who was in possession of two ya bah pills, subsequently gave up the name of his supplier and police conducted a sting operation when they arranged to buy 20 pills from the dealer the next day.

When the operation took place and the arrest was made, police noticed a tuk-tuk speeding off and when pursued, the driver fired two gunshots at the police.

He initially eluded the authorities, and eventually crashed through the roof of a house, offering his ID card as collateral for the damage to the stunned family. The family turned in the man’s ID to police and he was later apprehended.

Sayam Jamjantra then gave up the name of another supplier where police seized 100,000 baht in cash and a Glock 17 semi-automatic gun.

Police say there are many such drug rings on the island and they will continue to investigate.