26-8-2024 (BANGKOK) Phuket authorities have successfully raided a clandestine drug den nestled in the forested hills of Kamala, resulting in three arrests and the seizure of a substantial quantity of crystal methamphetamine and weapons.
The operation, which took place on Sunday, was the culmination of an extensive investigation into reports of a drug network operating in tambon Kamala. Acting on intelligence suggesting that a group of young individuals were engaging in drug-related activities in a secluded hut near Bang Wan Waterfall in Kathu district, armed police units mobilised for a targeted raid.
Upon reaching the isolated location, law enforcement officers apprehended three individuals: the alleged ringleader, a Thai national known as Bang Yim (real name Jedsadaporn), another Thai citizen identified as Pratip, and a Malaysian national, Muhamad Helmi Bin Jasni.
The raid yielded a significant haul of illegal substances and weaponry. Officers confiscated multiple plastic bags containing crystal methamphetamine, alongside an arsenal including a .22 calibre rifle equipped with a scope, two modified BB guns, and ammunition.
During subsequent questioning, Bang Yim reportedly confessed that the drugs and weapons were his property. According to police reports, he claimed to have purchased 400 grams of crystal methamphetamine from an unidentified supplier for 100,000 baht approximately four months prior to the raid. The suspect had allegedly been in the process of packaging the drugs for distribution, with some already sold to local customers.
In a chilling revelation, Bang Yim purportedly admitted to using the weapons to intimidate and deter nearby residents from approaching the hut, effectively maintaining the secrecy of his illicit operation.
This successful operation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating drug trafficking in Phuket’s more remote areas. The use of isolated, forested locations for drug production and distribution continues to pose significant challenges for police, requiring meticulous intelligence gathering and carefully planned raids.
The involvement of both Thai and foreign nationals in this operation also underscores the international dimensions of the drug trade in the region, prompting calls for increased cross-border cooperation in tackling such criminal networks.
Local authorities have hailed this raid as a significant victory in their ongoing efforts to curb drug-related activities in Phuket. However, they also acknowledge that this operation is but one step in a broader, sustained campaign against drug trafficking and abuse in the area.
