KOH PHANGAN — 12 January 2026, Thai police have arrested four Israeli after raiding a luxury villa on the resort island of Koh Phangan and dismantling a drug trafficking network targeting foreign tourists, authorities said.
The raid took place under a nationwide policy to crack down on foreign criminal groups, led by the Tourist Police Bureau. Officers from tourist police, local provincial police, immigration officials and district authorities carried out the operation at a villa in Moo 4, Koh Phangan district, Surat Thani province.
Police said they acted on a tip-off from local residents reporting a loud overnight party and suspicious movements of foreigners entering and leaving the property.
When officers arrived, they encountered Shahar, 33, an Israeli, who appeared nervous and attempted to flee. A search of the villa uncovered white powder residue scattered on a table. Inside, police found two other Israeli women, Sasson, 24, and Livshits, 23.
Seized at the scene were 3.32 grams of cocaine, 28.99 grams of ketamine, 0.86 grams of MDMA and 29 electronic cigarettes, police said.
During questioning, the three suspects told investigators they had purchased the drugs via the WhatsApp messaging application from Rachmani, 48, another Israeli, at a price of 4,500 baht per gram. Officers then moved to search Rachmani’s residence in Moo 6 later the same day.
Police arrested Rachmani at his home and seized 33.36 grams of cocaine, 16.07 grams of ketamine, MDMA in both tablet and powder form, LSD blotter stamps and 79,000 baht in cash. Investigators said the drugs were packaged in zip-lock bags bearing a gun image, described as a previously unseen form of packaging believed to be a symbol used by the network.
Authorities said the group focused on selling drugs to Israeli tourists at parties across the island. The arrests were described as part of efforts to remove foreign criminal influence and to promote Koh Phangan as a safe destination for visitors.
The three suspects arrested at the villa were charged with joint possession of Category 1 and Category 2 narcotics for sale, possession of psychotropic substances for sale, drug use and possession of untaxed goods, namely electronic cigarettes. Rachmani was charged with possession and sale of Category 1 drugs, including MDMA and LSD, and Category 2 drugs, including cocaine and ketamine, as well as drug use.
All four suspects were taken to Koh Phangan police station for further legal proceedings. Authorities said they would also move to deport the suspects and place them on a blacklist barring re-entry into Thailand.