Phuket busts South Korean drug gang, arrests four with export stash

2026-03-20 - 05:50

PHUKET — 20 March 2026, A South Korean drug ring has been busted in Phuket, with immigration police arresting four suspects and intercepting narcotics allegedly bound for South Korea. The operation was carried out under a nationwide crackdown on foreign nationals involved in transnational crime, directed by senior Immigration Bureau commanders. Authorities had been alerted by South Korean police, via the Royal Thai Police’s Foreign Affairs Division, about suspects allegedly trafficking drugs from Thailand to South Korea and believed to be hiding in Phuket. Following surveillance, investigators identified a luxury housing estate in tambon Koh Kaew, Muang district, as the group’s hideout. A court-approved search warrant was executed at around 08:30 on 19 March. Four South Korean nationals were arrested: Sim, 43 — charged with illegal possession of a Category 2 drug (ketamine) and use of a Category 1 drug (methamphetamine); tourist visa revoked. Lee, 32 — charged with illegal use of methamphetamine; tourist visa revoked. Kim, 31 — charged with possession of ketamine and crystal methamphetamine (ice), drug use, and overstaying his visa by 733 days. Seo, 31 — charged with possession and use of methamphetamine, and overstaying by 733 days. Authorities seized the following items: Approximately 300 grams of ketamine Approximately 100 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ice) Drug paraphernalia, including syringes Six mobile phones One laptop and one computer CPU Six luxury-brand items (watches and bags) Two credit cards Police said two of the suspects had entered Thailand on 60-day tourist visas but became involved in a drug trafficking network, violating the terms of their stay. All four suspects, along with the seized evidence, have been handed over to investigators for legal proceedings.