Phuket –
A viral video showing a man practicing gunfire in a mangrove forest has led to a major drug bust in Phuket, with local police arresting two Myanmar nationals and seizing a cache of narcotics, firearms, and over 100,000 baht in cash.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. on Thursday, officers from Phuket City Police Station raided a rented room in Chalong subdistrict after tracing the identity of a man featured in a widely circulated clip. The footage, which sparked alarm on social media, showed a Myanmar man firing a handgun in a secluded mangrove area.
The suspect, identified as 34-year-old “Mr. Sakru,” admitted to being the individual in the video. He confessed to selling illicit drugs—primarily methamphetamine pills and crystal meth—to fellow migrant workers in Phuket and Chalong. Police found him in possession of:
• 175 methamphetamine pills
• 22.6 grams of crystal meth
• A handgun and ammunition
• More than 107,000 baht in cash
• Three motorcycles believed to be used in drug distribution
Sakru told investigators he carried the firearm for self-defense due to the risks involved in drug trafficking. Another Myanmar national was arrested at the scene and is believed to be involved in the same network.
Authorities have filed multiple charges against the suspects, including possession of narcotics with intent to distribute, illegal drug use, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and residing in the kingdom without legal documentation.
Both individuals are now in police custody and will face prosecution under Thai law.
