Phuket Provincial Police Narcotics Suppression officers, led by Maj Sitthichai Chumchuay arrested 26-year-old Boonlerd Chinmuang at 2:30pm when he was found in possession of a .357 Smith and Wesson pistol with an unreadable licence and 55 rounds of bullets.
Boonlerd was arrested at a rented room at Wassana Apartment in Soi Bang Cheelao, and police have said they believe he was going to sell the gun on to another person.
Maj Sitthichai explained, “The arrest of Boonlerd came as part of an ongoing anti-drug and -crime campaign in the area. We received a tip-off from undercover officers who said that Boonlerd was in possession of a gun that he was about to sell from his room.
“Boonlerd attempted to flee when he saw officers arrive, but he was apprehended,” he said.
“Boonlerd told us that the gun and bullets were not his and that they belonged to his friend named Phom. He said that Phom had left the gun with him to sell to a client,” he added.
Boonlerd was taken to Phuket City Police Station where he was charged with illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.