Pictures courtesy of Daily News

 

Police in Surat Thani have arrested a 43-year-old Russian man accused of acting as a drug courier after a controlled purchase operation on Koh Phangan, seizing multiple types of illegal drugs and related equipment. The suspect was detained late at night on 15 December following a third undercover attempt, after officers linked him to drug sales conducted through a messaging application and paid for using cryptocurrency.

 

According to Pol Maj Gen Suwat Suksri, Commander of Surat Thani Provincial Police, the arrest followed a report from Pol Col Aphichat Chansamret, Superintendent of Koh Phangan Police Station. The operation involved investigators from Koh Phangan Police, Surat Thani Immigration Police, Koh Phangan Tourist Police and local administrative officers. The suspect, identified as Mr Ruslan, was stopped on a roadside outside Phangan Home Town Resort in Moo 1, Koh Phangan subdistrict, where police seized 1 gram of MDMA, a motorcycle and a mobile phone.

 

Investigators said they had earlier received intelligence that foreign nationals were selling drugs through a private group on the Telegram application. Two previous controlled purchases failed because dealers used a method of leaving drugs at pre-arranged locations rather than meeting buyers directly. Police then reviewed CCTV footage, identified the suspect vehicle and registration number and planned a third controlled purchase with coordinated surveillance of the target motorcycle.

 

When Mr Ruslan arrived at the agreed meeting point on the motorcycle, officers identified themselves and carried out a search. Police found MDMA packed in a zip-lock plastic bag hidden inside a water bottle placed in the motorcycle basket. He was taken into custody for further questioning, after which officers searched a rented house at 47/6 Moo 3, Ban Tai subdistrict, Koh Phangan district.

 

The search uncovered additional drugs and equipment, including two bags of MDMA with a total weight of about 10.73 grams, five bags of ketamine weighing about 66.15 grams and four bags of cocaine weighing about 36.57 grams. Officers also seized a digital scale, drug packaging equipment, plastic bags for distribution and another mobile phone. All items were taken as evidence for prosecution.

 

During initial questioning, Mr Ruslan confessed to collecting and delivering drugs on the instructions of the owner, claiming he had worked as a courier for about three years. He said he received a monthly share of approximately 30,000 to 50,000 baht, while customers paid the owner directly using cryptocurrency. He told police that MDMA was sold at a price of 103 USDT per gram.

 

Daily News reported that police have charged him with possession of Category 1 drugs, including MDMA and ketamine, for sale, illegal distribution of Category 1 drugs, and possession of Category 2 drugs, namely cocaine, for sale. He has been handed over to investigators for legal proceedings. Pol Maj Gen Suwat said specialist officers have been assigned to trace cryptocurrency transactions, analyse CCTV footage and extract data from seized phones to expand the investigation and identify other suspects.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A Russian man was arrested on Koh Phangan after a third controlled drug purchase by police.

• Investigators seized MDMA, ketamine and cocaine, along with equipment and mobile phones.

• Authorities are tracing cryptocurrency payments to identify the drug network’s organisers.

 

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 Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-12-17

 

 

Merry Christmas 🎁 🤣🙈

Who’s just the carrier how about the big boss you think that they would’ve followed the chain up to the big boss TIT

At last getting the drug dealers that to me is far more important than arresting someone for failure to have a hotel license . They have the dealer now go after those who buy from the dealer I’m sure he must have contacts in his mobile phones 

2 hours ago, TheFishman1 said:

Who’s just the carrier how about the big boss you think that they would’ve followed the chain up to the big boss TIT

That can get embarrassing

Obviously others, read locals, involved in the market saw a downturn in sales and did their own investigating and gave the nod to plod and let them have their beloved “media moment”. Good result for everyone.

None of these 'drugs' are harmful, unlike prescription meds hand out like M&Ms by doctors here.

1 minute ago, unblocktheplanet said:

None of these 'drugs' are harmful, unlike prescription meds hand out like M&Ms by doctors here.

Good grief chap, reads like you're on them...................🙄