New Zealand man charged for drug dealing in Phuket

[webfact]

Christmas Eve in Phuket – and the drug busts keep coming
Saran Mitrarat


Kiwi Taylor Grainge with his drugs.

PHUKET: Police arrested 12 men, including one foreigner, last night (December 24) in Kathu for possession of drugs.

New Zealand native Taylor Grainge, 41, was also arrested after he was found in possession of 1.25 grams of ya ice and .95 grams of cocaine.

Mr Grainge has been charged with possession of Category 1 and Category 2 narcotics with intent to sell.

Another 11 men were arrested while picking up small packages at the Patong Post Office. Each package contained fresh kratom leaves. In total, police seized a total of 30.5 kilograms of kratom leaves.

The men were identified as Asami Tayoh 24, Natsaree Tayoh 22, Adnan Waresamaair 28, Amaran Malazhair 26, Hafis Danor 26, Zhukifli Hayeedaoh 20, Zhohparon Samoh 20, Arfan Uzeng 25, Arzawan Johzoh 25, Issamaiar Hamu 26 and Arthit Ma’air 21. All of the men have been charged with Category 5 drug possession.

All 12 were taken to the Kathu Police Station for processing.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/christmas-eve-in-phuket-and-the-drug-busts-keep-coming-50311.php


-- Phuket News 2014-12-26

[hansgruber]

Another desperate clinging on to stay in this so called paradise.

Many more just like him wandering around.

[siampolee]

Makes a refreshing change to see the suspect pointing at the evidence that has led to his downfall as opposed to the police pointing their fingers at the suspect.

[jonw8uk]

With around a gram of each he's considered a dealer?

Real kingpin they caught there

[shirtless]

Small fish are easily caught how about arresting those further up the supply chain, or are they to connected to face Thai Law.

[pacovl46]

So which one is the category 2 drug? They both should be category 1. Also, I thought I read an article here a while back that said Kratom is legal again?!

[yorkieb]

Lock um up and throw away the key. Scum

[AlQaholic]

The Guy obviously have a sense of humor, he is pointing at the bags!

The officers should point at him just to make it clear that he is the perk.

And why do they always put the phone among the evidence?

Edited December 26, 2014 by AlQaholic

[jspill]

No surprise they choose the 1 white westerner to photograph out of 12 men, more foreigner-bashing.

[AlQaholic]

So which one is the category 2 drug? They both should be category 1. Also, I thought I read an article here a while back that said Kratom is legal again?!

No Kratom is still illegal. However there was a move last year to take it off the illegal drugs list, but then the coup happened and all stopped.

Can anyone guess the nationality of the other 11 arrested? From the names I would guess Albania.

Definitely not Africans as those names would be something like Ubutu Maboto, Ongolo Bongolo, Gulu Washington, Mbebe Mobolo or something like that. And if they where Middle eastern they would all be Mohammad and Abdulla. I do not think Malaysia or Indonesia or southern Thai as there should in that case be some with only one name (many people in those countries still go by one name).

Edited December 26, 2014 by AlQaholic

[jacko45k]

Well if he was the only 1 foreigner in 12 we know who 92% of the dealers are?

[Bkklocal]

What a joke, obviously didn't have 20k to go home.

What they should be doing and the know it, is looking in to how easy it is to get hold of it.

It's everywhere, and readily you get asked " Hey brother " from a random Norwegian dude on the street all the time, in facet I can;t even walk down sukhumvit post terminal wiht out been asked if Im looking for something.

Why is it so easy... Makes me want to punch police officers in the face. Blatant Corruption is just to over the top.

This would directly relate to Koh Tao mafia and strong men right at it's core.

[kannot]

Whers the pointy fingers of the other eleven??? maybe flang finger better?

Edited December 26, 2014 by kannot

[AdamRich]

I just don't get these people. Now if they start busting folks for being with women then :Guillltyyy.

[ThailandLOS]

The pointing is to illustrate "the drugs did it to me!". Clearly snitching behavior.

[kkup]

No dealer, he was just about to have a good night.

[konying]

No matter how many stories, no matter how many shows yet some brain dead foreigners still think they can beat the system .

Is it really so hard to understand that as a foreigner your suppliers and buyers and even "friends" will give you up without a second of thought

[madmitch]

Only two cops in the picture? Where are the rest? I've never seen one of these pictures with fewer than five officers.

[Tchooptip]

Makes a refreshing change to see the suspect pointing at the evidence that has led to his downfall as opposed to the police pointing their fingers at the suspect.

A remark on pointing make a refreshing change too

[hansgruber]

No dealer, he was just about to have a good night.

Rubbish. Police were informed of his dealings and then proceeded to arrest and search him.

[SOTIRIOS]

.....the land of pretend.....

....making the story as you go along......

[Smurkster]

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No dealer, he was just about to have a good night.

Rubbish. Police were informed of his dealings and then proceeded to arrest and search him.

The Thai police can say and do what they want and its not the justice system of the west, but where is the proof that he had intent to sell with such small amount, but charging someone here seems to be based more on suspicion. I mean hell, you can get charged with possession for merely failing a test

[fakser]

How stupid can people be? He will understand it every day of his 20 years sentence in Bangkok Hilton (or Phuket Hilton)

[wandasloan]

Can anyone guess the nationality of the other 11 arrested? From the names I would guess Albania.

They are Malay-type names - Malaysia and southern Thailand. There might be Indonesians in there.

Homing in more: At least one of the names is definitely Thai. I'd not risk a bet but I'd guess just from context as well as the actual names that all 10 others also are Thai citizens.

The Thai police can say and do what they want and its not the justice system of the west, but where is the proof that he had intent to sell with such small amount, but charging someone here seems to be based more on suspicion. I mean hell, you can get charged with possession for merely failing a test

As in all such drug cases in every civilised country, the "intent to traffic" comes from the amount of drugs, the assortment of drugs, the packaging of drugs and so on. The police have no say in what the charges are, it is scrupulously laid down in the anti-drug laws. Also, the police don't have to prove anything, that happens in the courts where the prosecutor has to prove it, and the police are mere witnesses.

I'm presuming, but it seems the main evidence used to lay trafficking charges against this man was the variety of drugs, as well as the packaging, i.e. the small envelopes seem designed specifically for hand-to-hand street sales.

.

Edited December 26, 2014 by wandasloan

[Smurkster]

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So which one is the category 2 drug? They both should be category 1. Also, I thought I read an article here a while back that said Kratom is legal again?!

No Kratom is still illegal. However there was a move last year to take it off the illegal drugs list, but then the coup happened and all stopped.

Can anyone guess the nationality of the other 11 arrested? From the names I would guess Albania.

Definitely not Africans as those names would be something like Ubutu Maboto, Ongolo Bongolo, Gulu Washington, Mbebe Mobolo or something like that. And if they where Middle eastern they would all be Mohammad and Abdulla. I do not think Malaysia or Indonesia or southern Thai as there should in that case be some with only one name (many people in those countries still go by one name).

I was going to say mostly Malaysian names too, but then I looked at some examples of Albanian names and some of those names looked quite similar. Even though they speak languages very very different from each other, perhaps part of the fact is Albania is like 80% muslim I think

[rebelplatoon]

Don't think this would be considered "DEALING" in many countries. Possession, yes. Still silly to behave like this in a country where you know the fines are harsh.

[kennypowers]

Dealing? He won't make much with that amount! Seriously, he probably just picked that up for himself or a group of mates going out for the night. What a waste of taxpayer's money. Meanwhile, guys are openly drug dealing in front of the police on Sukhumvit road (the stretch between Nana and Asok).

Kratom leaves?? Are you f'ing kidding me? It's a tree that grows on Mother Nature's earth. You can't make a tree illegal. Meanwhile, thousands died yesterday from alcohol poisoning, drink driving and alcohol related violence - but that's a legal substance. What complete idiots we are. Who is making the rules and why are we letting them?

[bristolgeoff]

another one for the Bangkok Hilton for many years to come.one more for prison list

[ALFREDO]

. Meanwhile, guys are openly drug dealing in front of the police on Sukhumvit road (the stretch between Nana and Asok).

Did not realize that, or was any time asked if I want something.

I regular stay in this area and I am, during different, day-night times around.

See only some colored guys there. Do not know what they do, sale.

Know, what the colored women there sale,

[wabothai]

The police through their own doing is constantly being humiliated.

They are just getting back at preferably farangs.