The campaign, launched on July 7 is the latest in a long line of 90-day crackdowns announced by authorities, with officials promising intensified action against drug trafficking, users and illegal firearms.
The largest seizure came on July 8, when officers from the Phuket Provincial Police Investigation Division arrested a 44-year-old suspected dealer in Ratsada. Police seized 14,128 ya bah pills, 400.03 grammes of crystal meth and a Honda Forza motorcycle valued at about B200,000, believed to have been purchased with proceeds from drug trafficking.
The suspect was charged with possessing and selling Category 1 narcotics for commercial purposes and illegal drug use.
Administrative officials and Chalong Police followed with another major operation on July 10 in Rawai, arresting a 32-year-old man wanted under an outstanding drug trafficking warrant.
Officers seized about 59g of crystal meth, 131 ya bah pills, an M3 submachine gun with 92 rounds of ammunition, a Colt .380 pistol, a modified automatic blank gun, B160,700 in cash, a gold necklace and drug paraphernalia. Police said the suspect confessed to all charges.
Chalong Police carried out further raids after receiving complaints from residents about armed men threatening locals and posting videos of firearms on social media. One man was arrested with a Glock 26 pistol and ammunition, while another was warned after admitting he had reposted firearm videos online.
Last Friday (July 13), Chalong investigators raided a hotel room in Rawai after receiving intelligence that drugs were being packaged for sale. Three suspects were arrested after officers found some of the drugs had been thrown from a window while other supplies were hidden in the ceiling.
Police seized 914 ya bah pills, 4.14g of crystal meth, cash and a motorcycle worth more than B200,000, believed to be linked to the alleged drug operation.
Elsewhere across the island, district administrative teams also reported a series of smaller operations.
In Phuket Town, officers arrested a 32-year-old suspect and seized about 3.5g of crystal meth together with drug paraphernalia and packaging materials.
Another coordinated operation in Phuket Town resulted in four arrests, with officers confiscating 335 ya bah pills, 6.24g of crystal meth, a homemade firearm and ammunition.
The crackdown also expanded into Kathu District, where one suspect was arrested with 1.5g of crystal meth.
In Thalang, two separate operations led to four arrests.
In Mai Khao, two suspects were arrested after officers seized 276 ya bah pills and 1.47g of crystal meth, while another operation in Thepkrasattri resulted in two more arrests and the seizure of 1.79g of crystal meth, four ya bah pills and drug paraphernalia.
Across the operations announced since the campaign began, authorities have reported arresting at least 28 suspects, seizing 15,789 ya bah pills, about 476g of crystal meth, four firearms, more than B320,000 in cash and other assets including motorcycles believed to have been connected to drug trafficking.
Officials have repeatedly said the campaign combines police, district administration officers and provincial authorities in a coordinated effort to suppress narcotics and illegal firearms across Phuket.
The latest campaign follows a familiar pattern of intensive anti-drug operations launched under the Ministry of Interior’s recurring ‘Operation 90 Days’ policy, which has been reintroduced several times in recent years as successive administrations seek to demonstrate progress in tackling narcotics and related crime.