Officers at Tha Chatchai Police Station reported that the arrests were made during routine inspections at the Phuket Checkpoint, the primary entry point to the island.
In the first case, at 3:30am yesterday (Mar 25), patrol officers stopped a Hat Yai-Phuket bus and detained a passenger, identified as Komdech Ludlah, 38, from Udon Thani. A search uncovered nine ya bah pills, 0.25g of crystal meth (ya ice), and drug paraphernalia in his possession.
Komdech has been charged with illegal possession of Category 1 narcotics. He was informed of his rights before being taken to Tha Chatchai Police Station for further legal proceedings.
In a separate incident late the previous night (Mar 24), officers at 9:40pm intercepted a red Mazda 3 sedan entering Phuket at the same checkpoint.
Two men were arrested: Thasnai Thingnui, 44, who was driving the vehicle, and Nattawut Bobthong, 30, who was in the front passenger seat. Both are from Krabi.
A search of the car revealed 2,967 ya bah pills concealed inside a black zippered bag hidden in the right fender under the engine compartment. Police also seized the vehicle and a mobile phone as evidence.
Both suspects have been charged with jointly possessing and selling Category 1 narcotics.
All three suspects were informed of the charges against them and remain in police custody as legal proceedings continue.
Police said the arrests were carried out under the direction of Tha Chatchai Police Station Superintendent Pol Col Khundech Na Nongkhai as part of ongoing efforts to intercept illegal drugs entering Phuket.