Crime blitz targets guns, drugs
Phuket Provincial Police
announced 10 arrests involving firearms and drugs after just three days into
the campaign to crack down on crime during the Songkran
holidays.
The campaign was launched under the direction of Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikong as part of a nationwide clampdown on crime from Apr 8-17.
The arrests, led by Lt Col Phit Thongto of the Phuket Provincial police, were announced on Apr 12.
Four of the arrests were at one house in Moo 9 Thepkrasattri, where Anan ‘Loh’ Phuakkhao, 31, was found in possession of 1,010 methamphetamine pills (ya bah) and a
homemade handgun made to fire 12-gauge cartridges (com
monly called a ‘Thai Pradit’) along with three cartridges.
Anan was taken to the Thalang Police Station and charged with possession of a Category 1 narcotic with intent to sell and possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.
Patawee ‘Kid’ Rayasakul, 20, was arrested at a roadside construction site shelter near the house after he was found
with eight ya bah pills and another Thai Pradit handgun with three 12-gauge cartridges.
Anusit ‘Loh’, 37, and Sathon ‘Paek’ Roongruang, 32, were also arrested at the house
after he was found with a Thai
Pradit of his own along with three 12-gauge cartridges, while Sathon was found with an 11mm semi-automatic handgun and eight bullets.
Both were taken to Thalang Police Station and charged with illegal possession
of a firearm and ammunition, while Sathon was also charged
with carrying a firearm in a public area without reasonable
cause or permission. Somchai ‘Daeng’ Maimad,
43, originally from Phang Nga, was arrested at a house in Moo 6, Kathu, after he was found in possession of 87 methamphetamine pills (ya bah) and a Smith & Wesson .32-calibre handgun with 17 bullets.
In placing Somchai under arrest officers seized his Phuket-registered Toyota Soluna car valued at about B200,000 and his Phuketregistered Honda Wave 110 motorbike valued at about B10,000.
Somchai was taken to
Kathu Police Station and charged with possession of a Category 1 narcotic with intent
to sell and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Meanwhile, two men were
arrested at the same house in Moo 2 Kathu during the period.
Suchart ‘Chart’ Achayata, 55, was arrested at the house after he was found in possession of a Thai Pradit along with one 12-gauge cartridge.
His housemate, Jaroon ‘Book’ Jongrak, 36, was found
with 2.2 grammes of dried cannabis mixed with tobacco and a bamboo bong.
Both were taken to Kathu Police Station, where Suchart was charged with possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition while Jaroon was charged with possession of a Category 5 narcotic (marijuana) for unauthorised use.
Teerawut ‘Bob’ Chai-Tui, 42, originally from Koh Sukon
in Trang, was arrested at a rented room in Soi Thanit Tuasai 1, off Sakdidet Rd in Wichit, after he was found in possession of 400 ya bah pills and items believed to be used for drug taking and distribution.
In placing Teerawut under arrest officers seized his Honda
Steed motorbike valued at about B50,000.
Teerawut was taken to Wichit Police Station and charged with illegal possession of a Category 1 narcotic with intent to sell.
Two women were arrested at the same house in Moo 4, Thepkrasattri, for illegal possession of ya bah pills.
Pikul ‘Kung’ Tamkaew, 38, originally from Sakon Nakhon Province, was found in possession of nine ya bah pills while Prachong ‘Zhong’ Kongtiam, 60, was found in possession of 15 ya bah pills.
Both women were taken to Thalang Police Station and charged with illegal possession of a Category 1 narcotic.