The man was named by police only as “Jamaal”, which police spelled in English.
Jamaal was wanted on an arrest warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court for illegal possession of a firearm and carrying it in a public area without permission or reasonable cause, police explained.
Jamaal reportedly dropped the gun ‒ a black Glock 19, which police described as a “blank gun” ‒ outside the nightspot after leaving the venue.
A security guard at the night venue picked it up and informed the police, police said.
However, Jamaal and the people he was with had already fled the area, and a check by police discovered that he left Thailand the next morning.
Officers continued with their investigation and identified Jamaal as their main suspect, and were issued a warrant for his arrest.
Jamaal was recently confirmed to have returned to Thailand, and officers moved to arrest him at his place of stay yesterday (Nov 13), Chalong Police reported.
The place of Jamaal’s arrest was not reported. Also not reported was the date and time of the incident when he reportedly dropped the gun outside the nightclub, which was also not named by police. Also not reported was when he allegedly left the country, and returned.
However, the police were happy to tell reporters “the accused had links to criminal networks in the area. He also has a history of imprisonment for drug trafficking, firearms, etc. in England in many cases.”
Chalong Police were also happy to highlight the arrest as in accordance with Phuket Provincial Police policy of “focusing on the importance of maintaining the safety of tourists and to take action against foreigners who have hidden behaviours to commit crimes in Thailand”.
Of note, Phuket Info Center yesterday reported the man as Jamal Woodcock of Luton, England, who eight years ago, at the age of 18, was sentenced by Luton Crown Court to three years and four months imprisonment for possessing with intent to supply cannabis, crack cocaine and heroin.
Bedfordshire Police posted confirmation of Jamal Woodcock’s sentencing on Sept 9, 2015.
Chalong Police have not yet directly confirmed that the “Jamaal” arrested in Phuket yesterday and the Jamal Woodcock sentenced in England in 2015 is the same person.