Picture courtesy of Naewna

Tourist Police in Koh Phangan, working with multiple agencies, have arrested four Israeli nationals following a raid on an overnight party at a luxury villa, uncovering large quantities of cocaine and ketamine linked to an international drug trafficking network.

The operation was carried out on January 12, 2026, under the directive of Pol Lt Gen Saksira Puek-am, Commander of the Tourist Police, who ordered an intensified crackdown on crimes affecting Thailand’s tourism industry and inappropriate conduct by foreign nationals.

The raid was led by Pol Lt Col Vinit Boonchit of Tourist Police Division 2, Bureau 3, in coordination with the Investigation Division of Surat Thani Provincial Police, Koh Phangan Police Station, Immigration Police, and local administrative officials. The joint task force acted after receiving complaints from a concerned resident about loud music and suspicious activity, with foreigners reportedly entering and leaving the villa throughout the day and night.

Upon arrival, officers found the villa’s door open and music playing loudly. Officers spotted Sean Shahar, a 33-year-old Israeli man, standing outside. Police said he behaved suspiciously and attempted to retreat into the house when he noticed officers. A search of the premises revealed white powder scattered on a table.

Inside the villa, police found two additional Israeli nationals, Michelle Sessions, 24, and Jennifer Liewchit, 23. Officers seized 3.32 grammes of cocaine, 28.99 grammes of ketamine, 0.86 grammes of MDMA (ecstasy), and 29 electronic cigarettes.

During questioning, the three suspects identified Rejev Rachmani, a 48-year-old Israeli national, as their drug supplier. They told police the drugs were purchased via WhatsApp at a price of 4,500 baht per gramme and were intended for resale to Israeli tourists attending parties on Koh Phangan.

Authorities subsequently raided Rachmani’s residence on the island, seizing a further 33.36 grammes of cocaine, 16.07 grammes of ketamine, 23 ecstasy pills, an additional 10.39 grammes of ecstasy in plastic bags, and 79,000 baht in cash.

The three suspects arrested at the villa have been charged with jointly possessing Category 1 and Category 2 narcotics with intent to sell, possessing psychotropic substances with intent to sell, drug use, and possession of smuggled goods, namely e-cigarettes. Rachmani faces more serious charges, including selling and possessing Category 1 narcotics, such as ecstasy and LSD stamps, and Category 2 narcotics, including cocaine and ketamine, with intent to sell, as well as drug use.

All four suspects have been taken into custody and handed over to investigators at Koh Phangan Police Station for legal proceedings. Deportation proceedings are expected to follow, reported Naewna.

Picture courtesy of Naewna

Key Takeaways:

• Four Israelis arrested in Koh Phangan on serious drug charges.

• Drugs purchased and resold at parties targeting Israeli tourists.

• Discovery highlights an Israeli network with unique packaging methods.

Related Stories:

Russian DJ Arrested for Drug Dealing on Koh Phangan

French and Russian Arrested for Drugs on Koh Phangan

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2026-01-12

 

 

Som naam na...

This island never surprise me what kind of people staying there.Its daily stories about crimes related to drugs..house rentals.. motorcycle rentals..overstays and so on.

They do seem to love dabbling in the drugs a lot while here do the Israelis .

Jail , deport and blacklist 👍

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Tourist Police in Koh Phangan, .... uncovering large quantities....

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Officers seized 3.32 grammes of cocaine, 28.99 grammes of ketamine, 0.86 grammes of MDMA....

17 hours ago, webfact said:

a further 33.36 grammes of cocaine, 16.07 grammes of ketamine, 23 ecstasy pills, an additional 10.39 grammes of ecstasy

These are large quantities? Not even a kilo! These guys need to get out more.

4 minutes ago, Homburg said:

These are large quantities? Not even a kilo! These guys need to get out more.

Enough to be illegal.

5 hours ago, norsurin said:

This island never surprise me what kind of people staying there.Its daily stories about crimes related to drugs..house rentals.. motorcycle rentals..overstays and so on.

Really. It's getting as bad as Pattaya.

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Deportation proceedings are expected to follow, reported Naewna

Please keep them here for a while. Deporting them is too generous...

6 hours ago, norsurin said:

This island never surprise me what kind of people staying there.Its daily stories about crimes related to drugs..house rentals.. motorcycle rentals..overstays and so on.

Sadly the good ole days have been taken over by drug addicts...

Damm, the come down from that high must have been brutal. Especially when in the jail with little access to copius amount of water for the liver and kidneys to recover.

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Really. It's getting as bad as Pattaya.

How dare you? Patts is a family, friendly resort. Ok!

The Israeli embassy will intervene and set them free.

Too dumb to remain lowkey looking after there Israeli only customers. No excuses, they know Thailands drug policy and still continued with their illegal activities and should now pay the price for it. Looks like the new year has just taken a major change from what they anticipated.

Why are they being deported, while other foreigners seem to be locked up , court , and then sentenced to Thai prisons ?