The arrest was made at 9:30 pm on December 3 at the check point in Mai Khao while police conducted routine checks of all vehicles coming into Phuket, according to Lt. Col Theerawat Liemsuwan, Deputy Superintendent of Thachatchai police. Manit Mardhareem 27, of Pattalung, was arrested as police seized a black bag that contained the 3,007 pills of ya bah.
Lt. Col. Theerawat said police searched Manit since he looked suspicious but they initially found nothing on him. Then, an officer noticed the black bag underneath his seat. When officers opened it, they saw five bags of ya bah wrapped with newspaper and ten bags of ya bah wrapped in paper.
Police seized all fifteen bags and Manit confessed that all ya bah pills belonged to him.
Manit was charged with possession of a category 1 drug with intent to sell and was transported to Thachatchai police station.