Thai police raided a Koh Phangan villa party, arresting three Israeli tourists and seizing cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of an alleged Israeli dealer, with a larger drug haul, gun-branded packaging and cash.
A police operation on Koh Phangan on Sunday led to the arrest of three Israeli tourists at a luxury villa, where cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy were seized. In a follow-up raid targeting their alleged dealer, a 48-year-old Israeli was arrested at another location and a larger cache of illicit narcotics was recovered. Police said the drugs were branded with a gun logo linked to the network operating in the area. All four suspects were taken into custody at Koh Phangan Police Station.
Thai police arrested four Israeli nationals on Koh Phangan after raiding a private villa where drugs were seized during a party. The arrests took place on Sunday in Surat Thani province and followed complaints from local residents about noise and suspicious activity. As a result, tourist police opened an investigation into the property.
The villa was identified as Bunny Villa in Moo 4, Koh Phangan district. According to police, residents reported a loud overnight party and repeated movements of foreigners entering and leaving. Consequently, officers considered the activity irregular and prepared a coordinated operation.
Tourist police led the raid under a nationwide enforcement policy. Meanwhile, provincial police, immigration officers, and district officials joined the operation. Together, they entered the villa on Sunday and secured the premises.
Police confront nervous suspect at villa as raid uncover signs of drug use inside party room
When officers arrived, they encountered a 33-year-old Israeli man at the scene. At that moment, police said he appeared nervous and attempted to flee. However, officers detained him immediately and began a search of the room.
Inside the villa, officers found white powder residue scattered on a table. Following this discovery, police expanded the search of the area. They then located two Israeli women, aged 24 and 23, inside the room.
According to police, all three were tourists staying at the villa. None were registered as Thai residents. During the search, officers seized multiple illegal substances and related items, including drugs and electronic cigarettes.
Specifically, police recovered 3.32 grammes of cocaine and 28.99 grammes of ketamine. In addition, officers found 0.86 grammes of powdered MDMA, also known as ecstasy. Moreover, 29 electronic cigarettes were confiscated from the room.
Questioning reveals drug buys via WhatsApp and leads police to an Israeli supplier on island
The three suspects were arrested at the villa and taken into custody. Subsequently, they were transported to Koh Phangan Police Station for questioning. There, officers recorded their statements.
During questioning, the suspects allegedly admitted purchasing the drugs on the island. According to police, they said they contacted a supplier through the WhatsApp messaging application. As a result, investigators identified an alleged dealer.
The suspects identified the supplier as a 48-year-old Israeli man living on Koh Phangan. Furthermore, they stated the drugs were sold at a price of ฿4,500 per gram. Based on this information, police moved to locate the suspect.
Later the same day, officers raided a house in Moo 6, Koh Phangan district. At the location, police arrested the 48-year-old suspect without reported resistance. He was immediately taken into custody.
Follow-up raid uncovers larger drug stockpiles, gun-branded packaging and cash at second house
Following the arrest, police searched the residence. During the search, officers found larger quantities of illicit drugs packaged for distribution. The amounts exceeded those seized at the villa.
Police seized 33.36 grammes of cocaine and 16.07 grammes of ketamine from the house. In addition, officers recovered MDMA in both tablet and powder form. Moreover, LSD blotter stamps were also found.
According to investigators, the drugs were packaged in small zip-lock plastic bags. Notably, some bags bore an image of a gun. Police described the packaging as a previously unseen style in the area.
As part of the same search, officers seized ฿79,000 in cash from the house. Consequently, the money was impounded as evidence. Police documented all seized items.
Photographs released by authorities showed officers posing with drugs, electronic cigarettes, and cash. Meanwhile, police confirmed all four suspects were taken to Koh Phangan Police Station. Formal charges were then filed.
Four Israelis charged as Koh Phangan crackdown targets foreign crime amid wider island investigations
The three tourists were charged with possession of illicit drugs. In contrast, the fourth suspect faced charges of possession and supplying drugs. Police confirmed the charges under Thai law.
According to authorities, the operation formed part of a nationwide crackdown. Specifically, the policy targets criminal activity involving foreign nationals in tourist areas. As such, Koh Phangan remains under close monitoring.
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Police did not disclose how long the alleged drug activity had been ongoing. However, investigators confirmed the suspects were active at the time of the raid. The investigation remains ongoing.
No injuries were reported during the operation. Additionally, police said there was no damage to the villa. All arrests were completed without incident.
Officials did not release details regarding bail or court dates. Therefore, the suspects remain in custody. Further updates will be issued by Koh Phangan police.
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Further reading:
Russian-Chinese Koh Phangan alliance to sell drugs to foreigners. Accused entered Thailand illegally
Crackdown aimed at upending foreign business trade moves from Koh Phangan to Phuket. Four arrested
Crackdown to wipe out foreign business abuses and ownership on Koh Phangan & Koh Samui intensifies
