Phuket Police arrest US drugs fugitive

[HsiaahHsiaa]

The link posted before below says murderer so what is he being charged with drug dealing or murder?

http://www.thephuketnews.com/alleged-us-murderer-arrested-in-dramatic-phuket-raid-42096.php

Doesn't matter, both are crimes worthy of apprehension and deportation so good riddance.

[hawker9000]

None of us bloviating away on here (including me, yes) know anything about the facts of this man's case. The long arm of "American Justice" apparently told the Thais to go round the guy up, so they did. Now, he gets a free ride back to the States, and will begin the process of getting picked clean by the Man. His only hope is to get high quality legal counsel.

Some of you guys, whenever the subject of "drugs" and "drug dealers" comes up, you trip over each other running to the nearest tall tree with your hemp rope, gonna Hang'em High! It's amusing, somewhat, and also pathetic.

Far more pathetic those who sympathize with these scum. And for the record, one can't (and should not) be deprived of life or liberty without due process. That's between the individual and the state. It DOESN'T mean others can't have a private opinion with respect to guilt or innocence. People should think more and parrot less...

[jpeg]

The BP reported this morning that Phuket police units and officials were not informed of this 'highly secretive' operation'. The offender/s were immediately taken to Bangkok. Can't think why

[HsiaahHsiaa]

It's a court's job to decide if he is guilty or not.. my understanding is that he's been apprehended so he can stand trial as an accused (and presumed innocent) defendant.

Well said, too many brainwashed fools tend to forget that part.

Guilty or not, he needs to stand trial and be judged which is kind of hard to do from Thailand. And his actions, fleeing the country, don't indicate innocence, only a fool would think otherwise.

[thaigold]

If this dude was as big an exporter as the New York court say he is, why didn't the dude have a second nation passport?

[bangkokpoppys]

One down, great work - how many more to go?

Like trying to empty the ocean a teaspoon at a time. Time for a different strategy.

[NamKangMan]

Why are so many of you anti drug dealer yet you have no trouble buying the same from a doctor or pharmacist. I would ask understanding rather than condemnation. This guy is about to have his whole llife ripped apart by the US probably forever unless he has a hell of a lot of money for a very good lawyer:)

Because the vast majority of us can see the distinction between the death & destruction this guy traffics in, and the aspirin & cough syrup purchased at the local pharmacy. And no, the US isnt ripping his life apart: he did that to himself! ...and to countless others. Yeap, he can have my "understanding" alright.

"death & destruction" - how can you say this without knowing, exactly, what drugs he was trafficking into the US?

Sure, it was probably heroin, cocaine or ice, but it could have been large quantities of viagra, for example, which I'm sure many members of TV have absolutely no problem buying over the counter of any pharmacy here, and even taking home a box to their own country. In this case, are these people also not "drug trafficking?"

Maybe it was steroids, for gym junkies and athletes in the US. Not much "death and destruction" there.

Maybe he was trafficking large amounts of generic, or "copy" soft drugs, out of India, so, he was effecting the profits of the big pharmaceutical companies.

Maybe he was trafficking in pharmaceutical drugs that have been released in other countries, but not yet deemed for release in The States.

Who knows, but I'll reserve my comments until I know what drugs he was trafficking in.

[tragickingdom]

Why are all these people so attracted to the bright lights of Pattaya or Phuket and can't keep a low profile?

[sunshine51]

Well...it's already been stated in this thread in many ways so I'll add a song...

Why do "they" always come to LOS? Dumbasses.

[Chalard]

On the bright side, that was efficient, on the down side, Thailand needs to start more screening, there are far too many international fugitives heading here.

"Thailand needs to start more screening"

"A New York District Court issued a warrant for his arrest on July 17,” he said.

“He used his passport to enter Thailand at Phuket Airport on September 6

"We were informed by the US Embassy in Bangkok today that Mr Hunter was in Phuket."

Or maybe their countries of origin need to keep track of their "fugitives" and step up screening who's leaving their countries. It seems the US and European borders are awfully porous and the surveillance by the various police forces rather lax. If the US embassy knew his whereabouts at this point, why did the US not know he was travelling out of country in the first place. His passport should have been seized or revoked on July 17th.

Well i suppose you have to wonder where he was in between July 17 & Sept 6???

Hiding in another country???

Out of Thailand on a visa run seeing he was on a 30 day stay when he arrived on Sept 6!!!

Seeing he was renting a house. Did he do this after his recent arrival or was he already renting it beforehand!!!

We'll leave it up to Inspector Clouseau!!!

[hawker9000]

Why are so many of you anti drug dealer yet you have no trouble buying the same from a doctor or pharmacist. I would ask understanding rather than condemnation. This guy is about to have his whole llife ripped apart by the US probably forever unless he has a hell of a lot of money for a very good lawyer:)

Because the vast majority of us can see the distinction between the death & destruction this guy traffics in, and the aspirin & cough syrup purchased at the local pharmacy. And no, the US isnt ripping his life apart: he did that to himself! ...and to countless others. Yeap, he can have my "understanding" alright.

"death & destruction" - how can you say this without knowing, exactly, what drugs he was trafficking into the US?

Sure, it was probably heroin, cocaine or ice, but it could have been large quantities of viagra, for example, which I'm sure many members of TV have absolutely no problem buying over the counter of any pharmacy here, and even taking home a box to their own country. In this case, are these people also not "drug trafficking?"

Maybe it was steroids, for gym junkies and athletes in the US. Not much "death and destruction" there.

Maybe he was trafficking large amounts of generic, or "copy" soft drugs, out of India, so, he was effecting the profits of the big pharmaceutical companies.

Maybe he was trafficking in pharmaceutical drugs that have been released in other countries, but not yet deemed for release in The States.

Who knows, but I'll reserve my comments until I know what drugs he was trafficking in.

Really, dude. Do some homework. There's an internet beyond TV you know. This scum is actually a comparatively big fish.

[jcb2001]

On the bright side, that was efficient, on the down side, Thailand needs to start more screening, there are far too many international fugitives heading here.

"Thailand needs to start more screening"

"A New York District Court issued a warrant for his arrest on July 17,” he said.

“He used his passport to enter Thailand at Phuket Airport on September 6

"We were informed by the US Embassy in Bangkok today that Mr Hunter was in Phuket."

Or maybe their countries of origin need to keep track of their "fugitives" and step up screening who's leaving their countries. It seems the US and European borders are awfully porous and the surveillance by the various police forces rather lax. If the US embassy knew his whereabouts at this point, why did the US not know he was travelling out of country in the first place. His passport should have been seized or revoked on July 17th.

Good point. The problem is America does not have a formal exit control program. Customs does not have the manpower to check passports on departing travelers. I believe there is talk that TSA start doing this. A big mistake as I don't think any TSA agent could even tie his own shoestrings, much less find a wanted person departing the country. Entering the US is a different story.

[NamKangMan]

Why are so many of you anti drug dealer yet you have no trouble buying the same from a doctor or pharmacist. I would ask understanding rather than condemnation. This guy is about to have his whole llife ripped apart by the US probably forever unless he has a hell of a lot of money for a very good lawyer:)

Because the vast majority of us can see the distinction between the death & destruction this guy traffics in, and the aspirin & cough syrup purchased at the local pharmacy. And no, the US isnt ripping his life apart: he did that to himself! ...and to countless others. Yeap, he can have my "understanding" alright.

"death & destruction" - how can you say this without knowing, exactly, what drugs he was trafficking into the US?

Sure, it was probably heroin, cocaine or ice, but it could have been large quantities of viagra, for example, which I'm sure many members of TV have absolutely no problem buying over the counter of any pharmacy here, and even taking home a box to their own country. In this case, are these people also not "drug trafficking?"

Maybe it was steroids, for gym junkies and athletes in the US. Not much "death and destruction" there.

Maybe he was trafficking large amounts of generic, or "copy" soft drugs, out of India, so, he was effecting the profits of the big pharmaceutical companies.

Maybe he was trafficking in pharmaceutical drugs that have been released in other countries, but not yet deemed for release in The States.

Who knows, but I'll reserve my comments until I know what drugs he was trafficking in.

Really, dude. Do some homework. There's an internet beyond TV you know. This scum is actually a comparatively big fish.

I googled his name - I didn't read every story, but there was no mention of the type of drug he was trafficking in.

There was some other information, to do with his background, but not much else.

In all probability, it would have been hard drugs. A little more information from the warrant would have been nice.

Strange there was no mention of the other 5 arrests on Phuket in this case.

[LarryBird]

Lame lame lame for saying this dude doesn't belong in cuffs, for one main reason, his profit is derived from the fact that his risk is getting thrown in jail. Drugs are expensive and profitable because of the potential risks associated with deal drugs. If you don't want to take the risk of getting thrown in jail, don't play the game. Pretty simple.

[Benmart]

Perfect photo opportunity on the back of someone else's investigation. All the Thai's were asked to do was to pop around and pick him up.

You must be speaking based on year's of law enforcement experience. I don't know the details concerning how the warrant and arrest was executed, but I would tend not to describe it in such flippant terms without more information.

Several posters have congratulated the police on the arrest only to qualify it with additional comments about their lack of action in other areas or the manner in which the suspect is photographed.

I don't know how many posters/readers are/have been in law enforcement or are/have been Royal Thai Police. I suspect that many "experts" have acquired their expertise in this field from watching television shows, reading novels and chatting with others.

While the photo shots of suspects may strike the western eye as odd, we are not back home and those standards might not be valid. The finger pointing seems to leave no doubt in the readers mind, who the "bad" guy is. It may have evolved from a time when the literacy level of the readers was much lower than it is today and the photo was worth "A thousand words". Just a theory.

Do have a few years experience in the field and my 1st encounter with the BIB was when I was involved in an exchange program. it was a real eye opener watching them from the inside. There wasn't anything I could take back with me. I enjoyed tho an all expenses paid working holiday.

Thanks for the info. They do operate differently for sure. Stay safe.

[Benmart]

On the bright side, that was efficient, on the down side, Thailand needs to start more screening, there are far too many international fugitives heading here.

"Thailand needs to start more screening"

"A New York District Court issued a warrant for his arrest on July 17, he said.

He used his passport to enter Thailand at Phuket Airport on September 6

"We were informed by the US Embassy in Bangkok today that Mr Hunter was in Phuket."

Or maybe their countries of origin need to keep track of their "fugitives" and step up screening who's leaving their countries. It seems the US and European borders are awfully porous and the surveillance by the various police forces rather lax. If the US embassy knew his whereabouts at this point, why did the US not know he was travelling out of country in the first place. His passport should have been seized or revoked on July 17th.

Good point. The problem is America does not have a formal exit control program. Customs does not have the manpower to check passports on departing travelers. I believe there is talk that TSA start doing this. A big mistake as I don't think any TSA agent could even tie his own shoestrings, much less find a wanted person departing the country. Entering the US is a different story.

Your comments about the TSA is based on what information or qualification, or perhaps just your exposure to field agents when going through airports? I suspect there is more to the TSA and training than meets the eye. Then again, I'm not an expert in this field as others may be.

"Painting others with the broad brush of baseless bias often results in getting paint on ones self in the process".

[Chalard]

Why are so many of you anti drug dealer yet you have no trouble buying the same from a doctor or pharmacist. I would ask understanding rather than condemnation. This guy is about to have his whole llife ripped apart by the US probably forever unless he has a hell of a lot of money for a very good lawyer:)

Because the vast majority of us can see the distinction between the death & destruction this guy traffics in, and the aspirin & cough syrup purchased at the local pharmacy. And no, the US isnt ripping his life apart: he did that to himself! ...and to countless others. Yeap, he can have my "understanding" alright.

"death & destruction" - how can you say this without knowing, exactly, what drugs he was trafficking into the US?

Sure, it was probably heroin, cocaine or ice, but it could have been large quantities of viagra, for example, which I'm sure many members of TV have absolutely no problem buying over the counter of any pharmacy here, and even taking home a box to their own country. In this case, are these people also not "drug trafficking?"

Maybe it was steroids, for gym junkies and athletes in the US. Not much "death and destruction" there.

Maybe he was trafficking large amounts of generic, or "copy" soft drugs, out of India, so, he was effecting the profits of the big pharmaceutical companies.

Maybe he was trafficking in pharmaceutical drugs that have been released in other countries, but not yet deemed for release in The States.

Who knows, but I'll reserve my comments until I know what drugs he was trafficking in.

Really, dude. Do some homework. There's an internet beyond TV you know. This scum is actually a comparatively big fish.

And his mates too. Better write up in the Chiang Rai Times.

[ableguy]

Finally a Hub that works ..... Hub of international fugitives

Listen my friend I read yesterday Thailand is set become the hub for Asia for gold, just not clear if its the hub for giving gold to thieving monks, drug dealers or bar girls. However it sounds very positive so less sarcasm please.

[hawker9000]

Just saw television coverage of him arriving at a thai airfield somewhere in preparation for transport. 'Don't speak thai nearly well enough to have followed the details, but there must've been a platoon of booted, vested, helmeted, masked special unit guys frog-walking him around, plus battalions of other officials doing their best to be in-frame. I doubt Al Capone ever got that much attention.

[NamKangMan]

Just saw television coverage of him arriving at a thai airfield somewhere in preparation for transport. 'Don't speak thai nearly well enough to have followed the details, but there must've been a platoon of booted, vested, helmeted, masked special unit guys frog-walking him around, plus battalions of other officials doing their best to be in-frame. I doubt Al Capone ever got that much attention.

"I doubt Al Capone ever got that much attention." - probably not, but Bradley Manning did, and so will Edward Snowdon, if they ever get him back to The States, and all these guys did was leak/told the truth.

Edited September 26, 2013 by NamKangMan

[Soikhaonoiken]

Good work, another one off the streets.

[paz]

The arrest was professionalyl executed, appreciated , the follow up again as always, shows again the childish behaviour of some hunters showing their trophy! The second to the right will upset because his face is only half copied!

Which hunters? There is only one Hunter and he is kneeling !

Hat.. Coat.. Door

[mrfill]

Drug dealers are in effect murderers. So right on both counts.

Please define drug dealer. Does this include someone who deals soley in marijuana or hashish? Or do you include them with cocaine and meth dealers. What about large scale dealers as opposed to small fry? Are they all the same?

Please provide which country shares your views that "Drugs dealers are in effect murders" as a point of law for prosecution purposes. Or is this only opinion not based on law?

The Phuket News article is headlined "Alleged US murderer arrested in dramatic Phuket raid" - no mention at all about the alleged drug smuggling in their headline.

In the body of the article is "Hunter was accused of killing a judge in the Philippines" and the drug smuggling is then mentioned.

So this lovely character is an alleged drug smuggler and an alleged murderer. No chance for the Nobel Peace Prize this year....

Edited September 26, 2013 by mrfill

[ajarnpot]

 

The arrest was professionalyl executed, appreciated , the follow up again as always, shows again the childish behaviour of some hunters showing their trophy! The second to the right will upset because his face is only half copied!

 

maybe they get bonus based on photos circulation, perhaps this is how they show their value,

[metisdead]

Posts with messed up quotes have been removed as well as a flame post.

[chooka]

 

The arrest was professionalyl executed, appreciated , the follow up again as always, shows again the childish behaviour of some hunters showing their trophy! The second to the right will upset because his face is only half copied!

 

maybe they get bonus based on photos circulation, perhaps this is how they show their value,

Not much difference between their silly egotistical photo opportunities and this one. The people that they parade as their trophies have not even been formally charged with anything or found guilty of any crime. What happens to those that are found innocent of any crime can sue the BIB under the defamation laws for public humiliation?

[beenhere2long]

shame the BIB can never catch a Thai kingpin.

[Carrerakiss]

the yanks should let the thais deal with him thai style, drug dealing maggot

You mean let him out on bail so that he can abscond, no passport notwithstanding. Or, accept cash in return for dropping the arrest, or,,...........

I think the best thing is for "the yanks" to insist he is deported to the US in order that justice can be done

[technologybytes]

Why are so many of you anti drug dealer yet you have no trouble buying the same from a doctor or pharmacist. I would ask understanding rather than condemnation. This guy is about to have his whole llife ripped apart by the US probably forever unless he has a hell of a lot of money for a very good lawyer:)

I agree that too many people are prepared to condemn someone based on the smallest amount of information.

I don't use drugs and I have seen a lot of lives destroyed by them, but I do feel that governments over react when dealing with drug dealers.... especially if they have any concept of history.

Remember that throughout most of human history (until the last 50-60 or so years no drugs have been illegal, it's only very recently that drug dealing has even been an offense.

In the USA a small time drug dealer can get 50 or 100 years in prison, now that's an affront to common sense.

[webfact]

UPDATE

Arrested American part of 'major trafficking ring in Southeast Asia'

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/670746-arrested-american-part-of-major-trafficking-ring-in-southeast-asia/