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Garry Halpin, a New Zealander who has been accused of buying drugs

UPDATE Phuket Expat Police Volunteer Allegedly 'Sold Drugs to Tourists'

Sunday, December 15, 2013
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.

Comments

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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

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Unusual for a police sting to be downstream.. Guess the farang aspect made it worth chasing.

Posted by LivinLOS on December 15, 2013 12:26

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Good job!

Posted by Anonymous on December 15, 2013 12:43

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Well done!!! I'm a volunteer myself but we don't need people breaking the law while we are here to help! Call it Karma...

Posted by Sam on December 15, 2013 13:32

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Well Sam, I hope I never need your input any situation. Guilty until proven innocent?

Posted by Sudo Nim on December 15, 2013 15:00

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Garry is a member of my family and we are all devastated by this news. He is a good person who has made some bad decisions.

Posted by Anonymous on December 15, 2013 16:57

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It,s very sad and unbelievable. May be the truth is something else ?

Posted by Anonymous on December 15, 2013 20:26

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Good bloody riddance. Yes it's harsh, but he's one of the reasons these people are protesting in BKK, corruption at all levels within alll offices!

Posted by phuket madness on December 16, 2013 09:42

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@phuket madness

No one, not even the protesters in Bangkok, are thinking of this kind of 'every day and for all available' corruption, you mentioned here.

Posted by Anonymous on December 16, 2013 13:12

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Garry was help me and my girlfriend, one year ago.when this criminal ****** ******* from Finland took our money 40000 euros ,when we try to buy house of him.
Garry and 4other police arrested this Marcus. He didnt try to sell me anything and i was with him manydays!
So **** you SAM your a snitch !
I hope best of garry and hes family!!

Posted by jnorth on January 31, 2014 16:06


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