Phuket
Police in Phuket have dismantled a suspected drug operation inside a luxury villa in the Laem Panwa area, arresting a Thai man and an overstaying Norwegian woman and seizing heroin, crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine pills, and cash.
The Wichit Police told the Phuket Express that at around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday (December 7th), officers from Wichit Police Station’s investigative unit, led by Pol. Lt. Col. Wittaya Kulnoi, raided the villa following intelligence that narcotics were being distributed from the property. The suspects were identified as Mr. Kanok, 37, a resident of Chalong, Phuket and Ms. Mette, 54, a Norwegian national. Both were taken into custody at the scene.
Investigators recovered a significant haul, including heroin (two packages totaling 32.78 grams), crystal methamphetamine (0.64 grams), 44 methamphetamine pills, a digital scale and drug-use paraphernalia, a patterned zippered bag containing the narcotics and 100,000 baht in cash (100 banknotes of 1,000 baht each).
They were both tested positive for heroin and methamphetamine. They were charged with possession of Category 1 narcotics (heroin) with intent to sell, possession of Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine and crystal meth) without authorization and consumption of Category 1 narcotics in violation of Thai law.
Ms. Mette also faces an immigration violation for overstaying her permitted stay in Thailand.
Pol. Col. Somsak Thongkliang, Superintendent of Wichit Police Station, said the arrests were part of an ongoing crackdown on drug users and small-scale dealers in the area. Investigations revealed that narcotics were being supplied by the suspects from the villa.
Authorities are now working to determine whether the property was rented or owned by the suspects, with further legal proceedings underway.
