Busted again: Ex-convict arrested for drug possession

PHUKET: A 21-year-old ex-convict was arrested with 48,700 pills of ya bah (amphetamine), while her two accomplices are on the run from police.

Papawadee Yuanset was arrested near a mangrove forest in Pa Khlok about 5pm yesterday. She had previously been sentenced for possession of ya ice (crystal methamphetamine) with intent to sell and was released from prison about a year ago.

“We received a tip-off about a large amount of ya bah stocked at this location, waiting to be sold,” Region 8 Deputy Police Commander Chalit Thinthanee told the Phuket Gazette.

“Our team went there to investigate but could not reach the exact location because the area is in the midst of a mangrove forest. So our officers got out of their vehicles and covered the last few hundred meters on foot.”

At the scene, the police found all three suspects, but they ran when they saw the officers approaching.

“Two of them managed to escape as they knew the area very well, while Ms Papawadee was apprehended and taken into custody,” said Gen Chalit.

The two suspects on the run were named as Adisak Homwan and another man named only as ‘Pai’.

“We questioned Ms Papawadee who led us to a boat nearby where the drugs were hidden. She claimed that she was only ‘looking after’ the drugs, and that they belonged to Mr Adisak, who has at least three other arrest warrants for drugs and firearms issued against him,” said Gen Chalit.

Police also seized about 10,000 baht in cash, a firearm, bankbooks, ATM cards, a long tail boat engine, drug paraphernalia, a motorcycle and several mobile phones, which they believe are being used for drug trafficking.

“We are tracking down the other two suspects and hope to apprehend them soon,” said Gen Chalit.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong