UPDATE
Mr Halpin told Phuketwan this afternoon that he had not signed a statement or made a confession, nor had he ever sold drugs to tourists. He is likely to appear in court tomorrow.
Original Report
PHUKET: A well-known expat police volunteer in southern Phuket has been arrested for dealing drugs and has confessed to selling ya ice and ya bah methamphetamines to tourists.New Zealander Garry Halpin, 52, a familiar figure in the Chalong Police Station, sold drugs around Chalong, Rawai and Karon, say local police.
Mr Halpin was arrested in a ''sting'' after police arrested Lersak Thantea on Saturday. Khun Lersak said he sold drugs to Mr Halpin.
In a sting, Khun Lersak, caught with 2.16 grams of ya ice, called Mr Halpin and asked if he could buy back some drugs.
Soon after, about 5.30pm, police arrested Mr Halpin at Chalong Villa Resort and Spa in Patak Road.
He was found to be in possession of 18.45 grams of ya ice and drug-weighing and taking equipment.
Mr Halpin later confessed to selling on drugs to tourists while establishing contacts as a police volunteer. He had been working with police for several years.
Mr Halpin often helped police mediate cases and was connected with some of the biggest cases involving expats on Phuket, including the murder of Dashawn Longfellow by Lee Aldhouse and the killing in 2012 of Australian tour agent Michelle Smith.
This is sad news for Garry and his family. I am sure there is much more to this story that we will never know.
Posted by Mr Man on December 15, 2013 12:01