KOH PHANGAN – A Russian national has been arrested on Koh Phangan in a targeted drug sting after police linked narcotics sales on a messaging application to payments made in cryptocurrency. The 43-year-old suspect, identified as Mr. Ruslan, was detained late on December 15 following a coordinated undercover operation.

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According to Pol Maj Gen Suwat Suksri, Commander of Surat Thani Provincial Police, the arrest resulted from intelligence indicating that foreign nationals were using a private Telegram group to sell drugs. After two earlier undercover attempts failed due to dealers using dead-drop methods, police reviewed CCTV footage, identified a suspect vehicle, and arranged a third controlled purchase.

Officers from Koh Phangan Police, Surat Thani Immigration, Tourist Police, and local authorities conducted surveillance and intercepted Mr. Ruslan on a roadside outside Phangan Home Town Resort. A search of his motorcycle uncovered one gram of MDMA concealed inside a water bottle in the bike’s basket. A subsequent search of his rented house in Ban Tai subdistrict revealed a larger cache, including approximately 10.73 grams of MDMA, 66.15 grams of ketamine, and 36.57 grams of cocaine, along with digital scales, packaging equipment, and an additional mobile phone.

During questioning, Mr. Ruslan confessed to working as a drug courier for about three years, following instructions from an owner. He stated he received a monthly share of 30,000 to 50,000 baht, while customers paid the supplier directly using cryptocurrency, with MDMA priced at 103 USDT per gram.

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Police have charged him with possession and illegal distribution of Category 1 drugs (MDMA and ketamine) and possession of Category 2 drugs (cocaine) for sale. Specialist officers are now tracing cryptocurrency transactions and analyzing digital evidence to expand the investigation and identify further suspects.

-Thailand News (TN)