PHUKET: One of Phuket's leading drug dealers used his job as a chef at the Novotel in Patong to cover his illegal activities, Tungtong police said today.
Officers arrested Songsak Rungtao, 33, at his home in Tungtong Moo 7 about 6pm yesterday after a tip-off that his behavior was unusual.
Police found him in possession of 6.28 grams of ya ice methamphetamine, officers said, plus 21,000 baht in cash and a bank account containing more than a million baht.
A former Novotel chef, Wirij Jit-Auksorn, 35, was arrested as Khun Songsak's drugs runner. He also had a handgun and 110 shells, police said.
Earlier in the day, Chalong police arrested two 21-year-old men - one with 7.50 grams of ya ice and 150 ya bah tablets and the other with 6.50 grams of ya ice - and accused them of selling drugs at workers' camps in southern Phuket.
Officers arrested Songsak Rungtao, 33, at his home in Tungtong Moo 7 about 6pm yesterday after a tip-off that his behavior was unusual.
Police found him in possession of 6.28 grams of ya ice methamphetamine, officers said, plus 21,000 baht in cash and a bank account containing more than a million baht.
A former Novotel chef, Wirij Jit-Auksorn, 35, was arrested as Khun Songsak's drugs runner. He also had a handgun and 110 shells, police said.
Earlier in the day, Chalong police arrested two 21-year-old men - one with 7.50 grams of ya ice and 150 ya bah tablets and the other with 6.50 grams of ya ice - and accused them of selling drugs at workers' camps in southern Phuket.
Does anyone actually believe that a guy with a few grams of ice and 20,000THB is a "drug chief"? It sounds like a small fish to me, and when you see the cops claiming victory after frying a small fish, you have to question their motivation to catch the bigger fish? Not sure how his previous employment is at all relevant, and I am sure the hotel in question appreciated being mentioned??
Posted by Jesse on November 20, 2011 20:51
Editor Comment:
One man told police he was currently employed at the resort. The other suspect is a past employee. And when you've hidden where the suspect works, Jesse, what next? Why not protect Phuket by forgetting the arrests ever happened? We'd expect the resort named by police to seriously upgrade its employee checks.