A CRACKDOWN over 11 days on drug-takers around Phuket has led to 81 arrests, including nine women. Seven of those arrested were under age, the youngest just 14.

There was room for just 39 of those arrested when the media and Surathani Region 8 Commander Korkiert Wongworachat attending a briefing at Phuket Police Headquarters in Phuket City today.

An officer from Kathu Police Station, which oversees Patong, said that an Australian had been arrested during the crackdown period from January 8 to 19. The man had been in possession of two guns, the officer said.

The Australian had moved to Phuket from Samui, where he had an interest in a beer bar, the officer said.

''He is a member of a big biker gang,'' the officer told the general. ''He is a danger to others.''

The Australian, named earlier as John Lee, 40, is accused of having put a .45 to his girlfriend's temple and threatened to kill her if she did not leave his house.

In another case, last night at 8pm police raided a house in Kata arrested five women who were partying with ya ice methamphetamine. The women worked at various bars in the area.

Colonel Pachai Matthayan, of Chalong Police Station, said there were up to 20 arrests every month in that area, with ya ice now accounting for 90 percent of cases.