A 33-year-old Russian national has been arrested at a house on Koh Phangan after tourist police seized a range of illegal drugs, including ketamine, ecstasy and MDMA in new mixed forms described as potentially life-threatening. The arrest took place at around 19:00 on 25 February 2026 on Koh Phangan, Surat Thani province. Officers said the suspect admitted there were illegal items inside the property before a search uncovered multiple substances.
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The operation was carried out under the direction of Pol Lt Gen Sakolkiat Phueak-am, Commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau. Officers from Koh Phangan Tourist Police, led by Pol Lt Col Winij Bunchit, integrated with several agencies in the arrest of the suspect, named by police as Mr Evgenii Nikulin, aged 33. The incident began when officers observed a car being driven at high speed through a community area and followed it in order to issue a warning.
Picture courtesy of Amarin
Upon stopping the vehicle, officers requested to see the driver’s passport. The suspect appeared nervous and claimed his passport was at his residence, leading officers to accompany him there for verification. At the house, he reportedly showed visible signs of distress, including sweating and trembling, and attempted to prevent officers from entering before admitting in a shaking voice that “there are illegal things inside the house”.
A search revealed drugs placed on a table in front of a bathroom. Items seized included 1.63 grammes of white powdered ketamine in two bags, 1.18 grammes of blue powdered ecstasy mixed with ketamine, one bag of brown MDMA crystals and three ecstasy tablets shaped like skulls in purple and orange.
Authorities stated that the tablets resemble toys known as “Labubu” and are referred to in slang as “kanom” or “snacks”. Laboratory analysis found the substances to be high-concentration MDMA, mixed with ketamine, cocaine and caffeine. Officials warned that such polydrug combinations significantly increase the risk of severe harm and death.
The suspect reportedly confessed that the drugs were his and admitted to having taken ecstasy two days earlier. He has been charged with illegal possession of a Category 1 narcotic (ecstasy/MDMA) and illegal possession of a Category 2 psychotropic substance (ketamine). He and the seized items have been handed to investigators at Koh Phangan Police Station for legal proceedings.
Amarin reported that Tourist Police Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Sakolkiat Phueak-am has instructed nearby station chiefs to intensify action against foreign nationals involved in drug offences in key tourist destinations during the high season.
Key Takeaways
• Russian national Evgenii Nikulin, 33, was arrested on Koh Phangan on 25 February 2026 with multiple illegal drugs.
• Seized substances included ketamine, MDMA crystals and skull-shaped ecstasy tablets mixed with other drugs.
• Authorities say the mixed-drug “kanom” tablets pose a heightened risk of serious harm or death.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 27 Feb 2026