Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand – Four Israeli nationals were detained after a late-night noise complaint prompted police to search a villa on the holiday island and find small amounts of cocaine and ecstasy, authorities said.
Noise complaint triggers police visit
At about 2:40 a.m. on October 14, Koh Pha Ngan tourist police received a call from a French holidaymaker complaining about loud music and an ongoing party in a neighbouring villa. Officers responded and found four foreign men, aged 26 to 27, who identified themselves as Daniel, David, Kefia and Guy. All held valid entry documents. The officers initially issued a warning for the disturbance.
Drugs seized and tests confirm use
During the visit, police discovered suspected drugs on a dining table. A search turned up 0.59 grams of cocaine and 1.37 grams of ecstasy inside a wallet. The four men admitted the substances belonged to them and said they had bought the drugs from an Israeli friend whose full name they did not know. They told officers they were celebrating the end of a war but did not specify which conflict. The men also said between 10 and 15 Israelis had originally been at the party, but only the four remained when police arrived.
All four were taken to a drug-testing station. Test results showed that Daniel and Kefia tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, while David and Guy tested positive for cocaine, indicating consumption in addition to possession. Police charged them with possession of Category-1 and Category-2 drugs for personal use and forwarded the suspects and evidence to the Koh Pha Ngan police station to start legal proceedings.
Investigation and possible consequences
Thai authorities said they would verify whether the men were active soldiers. A police spokesperson cautioned that even small quantities could lead to serious consequences, saying: “Even small amounts can cause big problems.” As foreign nationals, the four could also face deportation in addition to criminal charges under Thailand’s strict drug laws.
Context on island drug enforcement
Thai police said they have been maintaining a tough stance on drugs in tourist areas. Authorities frequently carry out raids and arrests on resort islands; a similar case in July in Phuket resulted in the arrest of three people in a condominium, who were treated as users because of the small quantities involved.
The case on Koh Pha Ngan remained under investigation as officers continued to document the incident and prepare charges.