Phuket: B9 million in meth just the tip of the iceberg for drug ring

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PHUKET: B9 million in meth just the tip of the iceberg for drug ring
Saran Mitrarat


Police seized over B9 million worth of methamphetamine and arrested four people in connection with a drug distribution ring.

PHUKET: -- Police seized over B9 million worth of methamphetamine and arrested four people in connection with a drug distribution ring that provided substances to tourists and bar staffs on Patong's Bangla Road, among other places.

The investigation, which is on-going, also revealed that the drug ring received their drugs through a coordinated effort with an unidentified woman – “Ms Bee” – who is in a prison near southern Thailand.

A total of 2.37 kg of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) and ya ba (methamphetamine) were presented to the media during a press conference on Thursday (October 16) at Phuket Provincial Police Station.

The investigation began on October 12 after Phuket City Police arrested a man they are calling Mr G, since it would be dangerous to reveal his real name.

“He was arrested in Rasada. Based off this arrest, we expanded the investigation to learn more about the big drug network in Phuket,” said Phuket City Police Superintendent Sermphan Sirikong.

Mr G provided information on two drug dealers – one in Patong named Ms Chadawan “Kik” Prateep Na Thalang and another in Thalang named Mr Apitak “Jack” Santiwisutthakul.

On Tuesday (October 13) at about 4:30pm, Thalang police arrested 27-year-old Kik at a house on Thepkrasattri Road and seized 1.18 kg of ya ice.

Shortly after midnight on Tuesday night (October 13) police also arrested 25-year-old Jack in Srisoonthorn with another 1.19 kgs of ya ice.

On Thursday (October 15) Patong police also arrested Ms Rabeip Laoongkaeo, 47, with 1.18 kgs of ya ice.

“Mr Jack distributed drugs for an unidentified man named “Mr Top”. At this stage, police do not know his full name. However, Mr Top, Ms Kik and Ms Rabeip were coordinating together to provide drugs in Thalang, Patong, and Bangla Road to tourists and bar staffs,” said Maj Gen Patchara Boonyasit, the Phuket Provincial Police Commander.

All drugs within the network were distributed by Ms Kik. She confessed that the drug network was linked to a prisoner, an unidentified woman named “Ms Bee”, who is currently serving time in a penitentiary near southern Thailand.

Ms Kik revealed that she would pick up the drugs from a black Toyota Vios that passed through the Tah Chat Chai check point in northern Phuket.

“Police have done their best to check all cars entering Phuket, but sometime drug dealers are very professional to hide drugs in their cars,” he explained. “We will be more strict and diligent in our inspections.”

“Police will continue to crackdown on the drug networks in Phuket. We will get rid of all drugs in Phuket”, Gen Patchara stated.

Police confirmed that the investigation is on-going.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/b9-million-in-meth-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-for-drug-ring-in-phuket-49199.php


-- Phuket News 2014-10-17

[ezzra]

Malaysia Singapore China Iran, death sentence to all drug traffickers, Thailand should follow

and the epidemic will cut in half within one year....

[Oziex1]

Malaysia Singapore China Iran, death sentence to all drug traffickers, Thailand should follow

and the epidemic will cut in half within one year....

Only if you get the top players, and the officials involved not much of that going on here or many places really.

[Strangebrew]

Oh Mr G wouldn't want you to mention that he is plo col. such and such huh? And unidentified ms Bee in prison bin southern Thailand? Who writes this stuff?

[timendres]

Malaysia Singapore China Iran, death sentence to all drug traffickers, Thailand should follow

and the epidemic will cut in half within one year....

Only if you get the top players, and the officials involved not much of that going on here or many places really.

Agree 100%. Killing mules does nothing to stop the trade. In fact, grabbing the drugs does little to help. You need to get at the cash. Bankrupt the major players and you can make a serious dent in the trade. Alas, those folks are usually "connected".

[NamKangMan]

Malaysia Singapore China Iran, death sentence to all drug traffickers, Thailand should follow

and the epidemic will cut in half within one year....

Only if you get the top players, and the officials involved not much of that going on here or many places really.

Agree 100%. Killing mules does nothing to stop the trade. In fact, grabbing the drugs does little to help. You need to get at the cash. Bankrupt the major players and you can make a serious dent in the trade. Alas, those folks are usually "connected".

I wouldn't call these people "mules." I would call the middle level dealers. With these amounts, they would be dealing to the street level dealers.

Most of the large shipments of drugs, or large transfer of drugs, are on consignment.

Look at these three in the photo, do you think they can afford 1 kilo / 2 kilos of meth, up front, in cash? No.

I agree, follow the money trail, but they don't like to do that here, because they know where/who it eventually leads to, so they only grab the dealers, thus, the drug supply continues, unabated.

[Benmart]

Oh Mr G wouldn't want you to mention that he is plo col. such and such huh? And unidentified ms Bee in prison bin southern Thailand? Who writes this stuff?

I have a choice to read it or not.

[Pinothippy]

A decent sized bust but it's still just a finger in a very leaky dyke

[simple1]

Malaysia Singapore China Iran, death sentence to all drug traffickers, Thailand should follow

and the epidemic will cut in half within one year....

China & Iran are two of the largest producers and exporters of meth and increasing. Doesn't look as though the death penalty is making any difference

[Yahooka]

Malaysia Singapore China Iran, death sentence to all drug traffickers, Thailand should follow

and the epidemic will cut in half within one year....

China & Iran are two of the largest producers and exporters of meth and increasing. Doesn't look as though the death penalty is making any difference

Exactly. Drug use in Iran is on a all time high despite the death penalty..... Not a solution.