Canadian Flees Police Checkpoint, Causes Multiple Crashes in Phuket

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Karon Police officers in Phuket intercept a black Ford pickup truck in front of Big C Wat Karon on Patak Road, January 19, 2025.

PHUKET — Two Canadian tourists were arrested following a dramatic police chase through Patong and Karon districts that resulted in multiple vehicle collisions on January 19.

The incident began around 4:45 p.m. when Patong Police responded to reports of an altercation in front of Patong Condotel Hotel. The situation escalated when the suspect fled the scene in a black Ford pickup truck, heading towards Karon district, causing several accidents along the way.

Patong Police patrol units pursued the vehicle and called for backup from Karon Police Station to set up roadblocks. At approximately 5:10 p.m., Karon Police successfully intercepted the vehicle near Big C Wat Karon on Patak Road.

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Two Canadian nationals – the driver (left) and passenger – are arrested by Karon Police in Phuket following reckless driving and multiple vehicle collisions from Patong to Karon area on January 19, 2025.

Police detained and transported the injured driver to Patong Hospital for medical treatment. His passenger, Mr. Jared, also 34, was detained for questioning, while the damaged vehicle was taken to Karon Police Station for inspection.

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A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a substantial cache of illegal substances. The seizure included approximately 100 grams of mixed methamphetamine and cocaine, 88 cocaine capsules, 50 Alprazolam tablets, 6 Lorazepam tablets, 14 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, and drug paraphernalia.

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Mr. Jared, a Chinese-Canadian, was photographed alongside drugs seized from his person and the black Ford pickup truck that evaded police inspection on January 19, 2025.

Investigators believe the suspects were targeting foreign tourists, particularly those attending the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Thailand 2025 music festival. The arrest comes amid an ongoing investigation into two recent deaths at the event—a Canadian national and a Vietnamese-American citizen. Police are awaiting toxicology reports to determine if these deaths are drug-related.

A strategic planning meeting regarding the investigation took place on January 20 at the Operation Center of Karon Provincial Police Station.

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