The woman, named by police as Marina Prabphet, also known as ‘Ja Lek’ or ‘Teua Lek’, was arrested at a house in Moo 8, Ban Phru Samphan, Tambon Thepkrasattri, on Wednesday (Dec 11).
Police presented a warrant for her arrest issued by Phuket Provincial Court for charges of colluding with others to commit serious drug offenses.
The arrest followed an extensive investigation that began with the apprehension of minor drug offenders in the Kamala area, police said.
Evidence gathered over the year pointed to Marina as a ‘middleman’ coordinating the distribution of drugs through small-scale dealers.
Marina, who has a prior history of drug-related arrests, reportedly resumed illegal activities after her release from prison. Investigators found that proceeds from drug sales were used to construct rental properties in Ban Phru Samphan.
During the raid, police seized assets under drug crime suppression measures, including three bankbooks (and the associated bank accounts), two motorbikes and four rental properties.
Police told reporters that Marina avoided direct possession of drugs, instead supplying them to small-time dealers in Kamala.
The dealers sold the drugs within the community and handed the proceeds back to Marina. She then laundered the money by converting it into properties and other assets.
Kamala Police Chief Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang credited the success of the operation to the collaborative efforts of the Kamala Police investigation team with the Phuket Provincial Police narcotics suppression division.
He gave specific credit to the support of Phuket Provincial Police Chief Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum and Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Pol Col Akknit Danpitaksan.
Pol Col Somsak said the operation was part of a campaign called ‘Protect Kamala’, which he said will see officers continue targeting drug networks, aiming to dismantle their operations and ensure community safety.
He emphasised the importance of sustained efforts to suppress drug-related activities in the area and reaffirmed the police’s commitment to maintaining law and order.