August 4, 2008
Bangkok - Two Thais and three foreigners were arrested for narcotics possession and selling drugs to tourists at Koh Samui.
Working with the US Drug Enforcement Agency, Thai police on Friday arrested 38-year-old Iranian national Shahriar Zarghamzade, who the Narcotics Suppression Bureau named a key figure in the drug dealing operation, according to AFP.
A 30-year-old Thai woman was arrested at his Samui home at the same time and charged with assisting a suspect.
A man holding Iranian and Turkish passports was found with a small amount of heroin, and a 34-year-old Briton had a small bag of cocaine.
They were both charged with possession.
A 36-year-old Thai man was also arrested elsewhere in Samui with bags of cocaine. He was charged with drug dealing and owning an unlicensed firearm.
Drugs dealing at tourist attractions was said to damage Thailand’s economy and image, according to the Narcotics Suppression Bureau.
Several bank accounts were frozen, and cash in many currencies and other valuables were seized during the clampdown.
