Thai authorities have dismantled a drug trafficking network on Phangan Island and arrested a 34-year-old American national.
Surat Thani immigration services carried out a targeted operation on Koh Phangan on 21 October. The operation led to the arrest of Gerald, alias “Dom”, a 34-year-old American suspected of being one of the main suppliers of drugs to foreign tourists.
Investigators found several illicit substances hidden in his socks. A search of his home then revealed a secret compartment built into the armrest of a sofa, containing cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy, MDMA and mephedrone, also known as “miaow miaow”.
In total, officers seized 1.6 kg of cocaine, 1.4 kg and 340 tablets of ketamine, 2,540 ecstasy tablets, 349 grams of MDMA and 72 grams of mephedrone. The street value of these substances is estimated at around 13 million baht (€345,000).
According to the authorities, Gerald had lived on the island for seven years. He is said to have started using drugs before becoming, from 2023 onwards, a wholesaler supplying parties and nightlife frequented by international tourists. Data extracted from his phone revealed advertising messages detailing prices and discounts for bulk purchases.
The suspect has been detained and charged with possession and sale of narcotics without authorisation, as well as illegal use of cocaine. The investigation continues to identify the network’s upstream suppliers.
Source : MGROnline