KOH PHANGAN, THAILAND – Tourist police on the holiday island of Koh Phangan arrested a 33-year-old Russian man who allegedly possessed a new, highly potent form of Ecstasy disguised as art toys, warning that the pills could trigger shock and sudden death due to their drug mix.
Raid After Suspicious Driving
According to Pol. Lt. Col. Winit Boonchit of Tourist Police Division 5, officers searched a rented house on Koh Phangan on the evening of 25 February at around 9 p.m. The operation followed an incident in which the suspect had drawn attention by driving at very high speed in a residential area of Surat Thani province.
Police identified the man from his passport as Evgenii, 33, a Russian national. He had been staying in a rented property on the island when officers moved in to investigate further.
Suspicious Behavior and Confession
Officers initially issued the driver only a warning for his speeding. They soon noticed, however, that he appeared visibly nervous, spoke incoherently and showed physical symptoms including heavy sweating and trembling.
He then admitted, according to police, that illegal substances were kept in the house. Based on this statement, officers proceeded to carry out a formal search of the property.
Seizure Inside the House and Dangerous Drug Mix
During the search, investigators found several drugs on a table in front of a bathroom. The seized items included 1.63 grams of white ketamine powder, 1.18 grams of blue Ecstasy powder mixed with ketamine, a bag of brown MDMA crystals and three Ecstasy tablets shaped like triangular skulls and a design known as “Labubu.”
Police said these pills, referred to as “candy,” were a mix of MDMA, ketamine, cocaine and caffeine. They stated that the high concentration and combination of active substances made the drug significantly stronger than regular Ecstasy and posed a substantial risk of shock reactions and sudden death.
Charges and Tighter Controls
The detained man admitted all allegations during questioning, police said. He also stated that he had consumed Ecstasy two days earlier.
He was charged with unlawful possession of a Category 1 narcotic (Ecstasy and MDMA) and a Category 2 psychotropic substance (ketamine). Police handed him over to investigators at Koh Phangan Police Station for further legal action.
Authorities Respond During Tourist Peak Season
The commander of the Tourist Police Bureau, Lt. Gen. Saksira Phueak-am, instructed tourist police stations in designated pilot areas to intensify their response to crimes committed by foreign visitors. The aim, according to police, was to ensure safety during the high season and to maintain a positive image of Thailand among international guests.
Emergence of a New Designer Drug?
Colorfully pressed pills with a toy-like appearance, but containing a mix of MDMA, ketamine and other substances, could be life-threatening, police warned. The case raised questions about whether Thailand might be facing a new wave of drugs, the level of risk for party tourists and whether current high-season controls were sufficient.