PHUKET, THAILAND – Thai Immigration Police dismantled an alleged South Korean drug network in Phuket and arrested four suspects, seizing ketamine and crystal meth reportedly intended for shipment to South Korea.
Morning raid with court warrant
Investigators located the group after surveillance at a luxury residential project in Tambon Koh Kaew in Mueang Phuket district. On 19 March, officers executed a court-approved search warrant at around 8:30 a.m. and arrested the suspects at the alleged hideout.
Tip-off from South Korea and joint operation via Bangkok
The investigation was triggered by information from the South Korean police, which reached Thai authorities through the foreign affairs division of the Royal Thai Police. According to the police account, the suspects were suspected of smuggling narcotics from Thailand to South Korea and of hiding in Phuket.
Arrested suspects: identities and alleged offences
Those detained were South Korean nationals Sim (43), Lee (32), Kim (31) and Seo (31), who now faced multiple drug-related charges and alleged violations of immigration rules. Sim was accused of possessing ketamine and using methamphetamine, while Lee was suspected of using methamphetamine.
Kim and Seo were accused, among other things, of possessing and using methamphetamine and of serious visa violations. The allegations covered both narcotics offences and breaches of Thailand’s immigration regulations.
Drugs, electronics and luxury items seized
Police said they seized about 300 grams of ketamine and around 100 grams of crystal methamphetamine (Ice), along with drug paraphernalia such as syringes. Officers also confiscated six mobile phones, a laptop, a computer CPU, six luxury items including watches and bags, and two credit cards.
Visas revoked and massive overstays
Authorities stated that two of the suspects had entered Thailand on 60-day tourist visas but later violated the conditions of their stay and became involved in a drug network. According to police, the tourist visas of Sim and Lee were revoked.
Kim and Seo had allegedly overstayed by 733 days each and now faced additional charges for overstay on top of the drug-related accusations. The immigration breaches were being handled alongside the narcotics case.
Case handed to investigators amid nationwide crackdown
All four detainees were handed over to the responsible investigators together with the seized evidence, who were preparing criminal proceedings. The operation formed part of a nationwide offensive by the Immigration Bureau targeting foreign nationals suspected of involvement in cross-border crime.