A good time for drug-busters
PHUKET: Seven people involved in narcotics dealing were arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Task Force of the Phuket Provincial Office of Local Administration in a period of nine days from March 6 to 14.
Friday 16 March 2012, 06:12PM
Phuket Governor Tri Augaradacha told a press conference at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (March 15) that the biggest bust came following a tip from an informer that Thitipat “Khem” Thirapornpisut, 35 and Warut “Rut” Phatkaew, 31, of Baan Bang Rong, in the northeast of the island, were involved in narcotics.
Thitipat, the informant added, was due to make a delivery of drugs in Soi Koh Kaew 24, near the main traffic lights on Thepkrassattree Rd.
Officials hurried to the scene, stopped Thitipat and, on searching her, found 47 bags of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) and five bags of methamphetamine pills (ya ba) .
She confessed that all seized drugs belong to her and that there were more drugs in her house in Baan Bang Rong.
At the house, the official found another 207 bags of ya ice and eight bags of ya ba pills, hidden in a stereo loudspeaker. Police estimated the total street value of seized drugs at B1.5 to 2 million.
Warut was in the house when police arrived and admitted that he was involved with Thitipat in the drug trade.
Thitipat said she received the drugs from a man named Oh in Bangkok, who would send them by bus. She was paid B20,000 a month to deliver the drugs.
She denied abusing drugs herself, though Warut admitted he did.
Five other drug dealers were arrested in the same period, and another 450 ya ba pills and 16.3 grams of ya ice seized.
Narongchai “Ning” Ningnoi, 32 was arrested in his apartment in Wichit sub-district, along with 100 ya ba pills and 3.6 grams of ya ice.
Witoon “O” Koompai, 20 was arrested in his apartment in Phuket Town, with 5.2 grams of ya ice.
Sirilert “Toh” Kamolthipsukon, 26 was arrested in his room in Phuket Town with 200 ya ba pills.
Nimit “Poo” Sae-kor, 27 was arrested in Wichit sub-district, in possession of 4.8 grams of ya ice.
And Boonrod “Kui” Whanpued, 23 was arrested in Phuket Town with 150 ya ba pills and 2.7 grams of ya ice.
All are now being held at Phuket Town Police Station.
