A Russian national, Anton Petukhov, has been arrested on Koh Phangan for selling drugs through an automated system on the Telegram app. On March 9, police stopped Petukhov near Hua Thian Pier, where he reportedly appeared intoxicated and admitted to cocaine use. Subsequent searches revealed he was operating a sophisticated drug distribution network using GPS coordinates to direct buyers to hidden stashes.

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Petukhov, a 41-year-old DJ on the island, used his position at entertainment venues as a cover for his illegal activities. Customers would place orders via Telegram with automated responses, pay by credit card, and then receive precise GPS locations to retrieve the drugs. Police confiscated a variety of substances, including over 115 grams of cocaine and significant amounts of ketamine and MDMA.

Among the confiscated items was a new type of pill called "2CB," also known as “wolf head” or “skull,” due to its colorful appearance targeting partygoers. Authorities cautioned that this polydrug mixture poses serious health risks, including potential respiratory failure or death. Petukhov faces multiple charges, ranging from possession to the distribution of dangerous narcotics.

Experts stress the dangers of such advanced drug sale methods that bypass traditional police detection. Law enforcement agencies are urged to develop more sophisticated techniques to counteract these digital distribution networks. As the investigation progresses, authorities are looking into expanding the probe to potentially uncover additional conspirators or similar operations, reported Khaosod.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Khaosod · 09 Mar 2026

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34 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

police stopped Petukhov near Hua Thian Pier, where he reportedly appeared intoxicated and admitted to cocaine use.

Surely advisable to keep a low profile if up to no good. Sounds like he had a clever ruse to try and beat the cops with his illicit supply system. What next, banning of apps such as Telegram?

GPS to direct people to hidden stashes = very clever

Ko Phang An hippie paradise. I thought hippies didn't do cocaine.

Drugs are all over the place unfortunately.

Someone is getting very rich from all this.

13 hours ago, save the frogs said:

GPS to direct people to hidden stashes = very clever

Nothing new, this system has been used in Russia by drug dealers for at least 10 years now.

Koh phangan seems to have got even worse from the types of people going there and flooded with drugs of a hard nature instead of weed.

"2CB," is very similar to MDMA.....It's not very dangerous at all....

If they want it illigal ok fair enough...

But don't make up nonsense it going to kill you stories...When it's completely untrue.

Putin has another genius for the Ukraine war.

15 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

Surely advisable to keep a low profile if up to no good. Sounds like he had a clever ruse to try and beat the cops with his illicit supply system. What next, banning of apps such as Telegram?

15 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

Surely advisable to keep a low profile if up to no good. Sounds like he had a clever ruse to try and beat the cops with his illicit supply system. What next, banning of apps such as Telegram?

Scarface...."Never get high on your own supply".

52 minutes ago, ronster said:

Koh phangan seems to have got even worse from the types of people going there and flooded with drugs of a hard nature instead of weed.

Family, friendly resort Island.....

"It's a fine line between clever and stupid" Crossed the line here, eh

1 hour ago, redwood1 said:

"2CB," is very similar to MDMA.....It's not very dangerous at all....

If they want it illigal ok fair enough...

But don't make up nonsense it going to kill you stories...When it's completely untrue.

I read an Thai article last week after a peptide bust about how dangerous and stupid is to use them.

Three days later, USA re-legalizes them all 😂 .

The media is no longer the news.

It’s simply one facet of brainwashing and grooming.

1 hour ago, Taboo2 said:

Putin has another genius for the Ukraine war.

1 hour ago, Taboo2 said:

Putin has another genius for the Ukraine war.

1 hour ago, Taboo2 said:

Putin has another genius for the Ukraine war.

When he is deported to Russia it will not look good on his CV - I suspect a holiday in Ukraine paid for by Putin will be on his horizon soon

Subsequent searches revealed he was operating a sophisticated drug distribution network using GPS coordinates to direct buyers to hidden stashes.

what3words

Another Reservation at the Hilton!