Ya bah bust in Thalang

THALANG: During a sting operation near the Heroines’ Monument yesterday, Phuket Provincial Police special investigations unit arrested a Thalang man for possession of 400 ya bah (methamphetamine) pills with intent to sell.

Lt Anukul Nukate of Thalang Police explained that undercover police arranged to meet Surachai Maimad, 29, at 3 pm on Srisoonthorn Rd [Route 4025] to buy the pills for 60,000 baht.

After completing the sale, Surachai was arrested and later confessed to the crime, Lt Anukul said.

Police seized the 400 ya bah pills, 243,900 baht in cash and Surachai’s Nissan Sunny sedan, Lt Anukul added.

Surachai was taken to Phuket Provincial Court, where he was charged with possession of a Class I narcotic with intent to sell.

Earlier yesterday, Thalang Police acting on a tip-off arrested two suspects in Phuket City for attempted murder in Kathu earlier this year.

Lt Anukul identified the pair as Jittiporn Sritongkaew, 26, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, and Pakamas Nakpeng, 33, from Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Although unfamiliar with the details of the attempted murder case, Lt Anukul said the suspects had been arrested in Thalang on October 30 for possession and use of ya bah, two pills of which were seized as evidence at the time.

The arrests in Phuket City followed the suspects being identified by an informant who knew there was a warrant for their arrest, he said.

Although they denied any wrongdoing, the pair were sent to Phuket Provincial Court to answer the warrant, he said.