A French man has been arrested on the island of Pha Ngan, in Surat Thani province, on suspicion of selling illegal drugs to tourists.
Khaosod English reports that officers from Surat Thani Police teamed up with the Pa Cha Da Special Operation Unit to arrest the suspect yesterday, April 23. He has been identified only as 41 year old Mr Ilan.
During the arrest, officers seized 19.7 grams of cocaine, 23 ecstasy pills, a digital scale, 6,000 baht in cash, and a bum bag. Some of the evidence was seized from the French man’s rented home in the Ban Tai sub-district of Koh Pha Ngan.
According to Sermphan Sirikong, chief of Surat Thani Provincial Police, Mr Ilan has been charged with selling a Category 1 narcotic (ecstasy) and a Category 2 narcotic (cocaine).
Under Thailand’s drug laws, anyone producing, importing, exporting, distributing or in possession of Category 1 narcotics faces a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of up to 1,500,000 baht. The same offence involving Category 2 narcotics carries a penalty of between 1 and 15 years in prison and a fine of between 100,000 and 1,500,000 baht.
In response to PM Srettha Thavisin’s orders to ramp up efforts to safeguard the lives and property of both tourists and residents, Saranyu Chamnanrat, deputy commander of Provincial Police Region 8, established the “Pa Cha Da Special Operation Unit”, to inspect nightlife venues, hotels, and other entertainment venues in order to suppress criminal activity.
SOURCE: Khaosod English
