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Russian Student-Visa Holder Arrested in Phuket Cocaine Sting

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Picture courtesy of Bangkokpost 

 

A 31-year-old Russian man holding a student visa was arrested in Phuket for allegedly selling cocaine, prompting renewed concern over drug trafficking in the island’s tourist zones. Tourist police said the suspect, identified only as Mr Anton, was detained during a sting operation in which undercover officers ordered cocaine from him. Officers seized six packets containing a total of 1.2 grammes of the drug.

 

The arrest took place at a hotel in tambon Chalong following an expanded investigation into reports that drug-related stickers had been appearing on power poles across Phuket’s tourist areas. Pol Lt Col Pitaya Thepmueang, a Phuket tourist police inspector, said the suspect had enrolled at a private school to obtain a student visa before allegedly using the Telegram messaging app to reach buyers through a chat group with numerous members. The operation was conducted by Tourist Police Division 2 under Subdivision 3.

 

Authorities said the case highlights a tactic in which foreign nationals enrol in Thai educational institutions to secure legal stay while engaging in illicit activities. Investigators believe the drug-trafficking stickers were part of an effort by multiple groups to advertise illegal narcotics to visitors and long-term residents. Police are reviewing similar cases to determine whether the suspect is linked to a wider network operating on the island.

 

Analysts noted that the use of encrypted messaging platforms such as Telegram is complicating efforts to track drug distribution channels. Officers say more operations will follow as part of a broader campaign to suppress narcotics sales in tourist hotspots.

 

The Bangkok Post reported that police will continue examining digital evidence seized from the suspect to identify other individuals involved in the chat group. Further arrests are possible as investigators trace interactions and financial transactions linked to the alleged sales. Tourist police have urged the public to report any sightings of drug-related stickers or suspicious activity in tourist centres.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A 31-year-old Russian student-visa holder was arrested in a police sting after allegedly selling 1.2 grammes of cocaine.

• Investigators linked the case to reports of drug-trafficking stickers appearing in Phuket’s tourist areas.

• Police are analysing digital evidence and expect further operations targeting suspected narcotics networks.

 

Related Stories

 

Russian-drug-gang-spreads-QR-codes-across-Phuket

 

Russian-man-arrested-for-drug-promotion-in-Thailand

 

 

image.png  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Bangkokpost 2025-11-17

 

 

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Come on one gram barely qualifies you as a user, much less a dealer...

 

One gram is a tiny amount...Nothing worth reporting on..

21 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

Come on one gram barely qualifies you as a user, much less a dealer...

 

One gram is a tiny amount...Nothing worth reporting on..

Maybe he already sold everything ?

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How about doing something about the school that is enrolling “students” so that they can get a student visa, pocketing a handsome fee, while all the time knowing that the “student” will never darken their door again?

 

If the rules don’t allow the police to do something about it, best change the rules because I bet that where there is one Russian doing this, there will be dozens more.

 

Many people complain about the hoops that they have to go through in order to legally obtain long stay visas, but those hoops exist because people continually abuse the laws that are in place, basically forcing the authorities to put in place additional hoops.

Would he have been ok if he had a work permit to do it ? 🤣

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42 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

Come on one gram barely qualifies you as a user, much less a dealer...

 

One gram is a tiny amount...Nothing worth reporting on..

Once they see several individual bags no matter the weight total I'm sure they just class you as a dealer when caught.

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Those ED visas for foreigners (especially Russian, Chinese, Kazakhstani) are not legitimate, should be revoked. They never visit the classes. They are buying this kind of visa illegitimately. This is violation of the law. Corruption scandal. What a shame!

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

six packets containing a total of 1.2 grammes

Busted for ripping people off is my guess

2 hours ago, redwood1 said:

Come on one gram barely qualifies you as a user, much less a dealer...

 

One gram is a tiny amount...Nothing worth reporting on..

Really? You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know that where there is smoke there is fire 

putin sheep, heroes outside their country... back to russia and out to Ukrainian front, problem solved in 4 weeks ! 

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