BANGKOK — Police arrested seven foreign nationals and one Thai woman after uncovering a drug-dealing operation hidden behind a barbershop in Bangkok’s Nana area late Wednesday night.
The operation followed an order from National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet to intensify inspections in tourist hotspots. Metropolitan Police officers posing as tourists conducted undercover patrols in Sukhumvit Soi 3, where they encountered a group of foreign men offering drugs under the slogan “One puff to the top of the pyramid” along with access to a “secret room” for customers to use drugs.
Two tall foreign men approached the undercover officers, offering to sell drugs and escorting them into a five-story commercial building. On the top floor, officers found an Arab-run barbershop serving as a front, with a hidden room behind it.
The suspects presented methamphetamine tablets for sale at 2,000 baht apiece, prompting Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom to order an immediate raid around 11 p.m. on October 15.
Barbershop Front for Hidden Drug Den
Police arrested eight suspects in total. Two men were charged with major drug offenses: Mr. Khalil, 41, an Egyptian national, and Mr. Maw, 22, from Myanmar, for possession and distribution of Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine) with intent to sell, as well as possession of Category 5 drugs.
Other suspects faced various charges:
- Mr. Ahmad, 30, from Pakistan, was charged with working without a permit and engaging in a prohibited occupation (barbering).
- Mr. Khadimi, 21, from Afghanistan; Mr. Salwa, 25, from Iraq; and Miss Ohn Htee, 40, from Myanmar, were charged with illegal entry into the Kingdom.
- Mr. Yasir, 30, from Pakistan, was charged with concealing and trading in prohibited goods.
The lone Thai suspect, Mrs. Chalongkwan, 50, was charged with distributing and possessing narcotics, employing illegal foreign workers, and selling untaxed imported goods including excise items.
Array of Drugs and Contraband Seized
Police seized 11 categories of evidence: four ecstasy pills, four bags of crystal meth weighing 3.3 grams, two bags of cocaine weighing 1.7 grams, two meth pills, seven bags of magic mushrooms, 23 hookah sets, 55 boxes of snuff, 125 packs of untaxed cigarettes, three bank books, 125,000 baht in cash, and 4,000 baht used in the sting.
During interrogation, Mr. Khadimi denied all charges, claiming he worked for Mrs. Chalongkwan and an Arab man named “Yasim,” described as resembling “Mini-Me” from the Austin Powers films. He insisted he only acted as a tout to bring customers to use drugs.
Mrs. Chalongkwan also denied involvement in the drug trade, saying she merely operated a barbershop and sold cannabis legally, claiming all illegal items found belonged to others.
Gang Operated as Organized Network
Pol. Maj. Gen. Teeradej Thammasuthee, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the group operated as an organized network with members assigned to different roles. He added that some suspects also engaged in other criminal activities and exerted influence that intimidated tourists and residents, damaging Thailand’s tourism reputation.
Police said the operation underscores ongoing efforts to clean up Bangkok’s nightlife areas and restore public confidence, particularly in districts popular among foreign visitors.
_______
