SURAT THANI – Police on Koh Phangan arrested four Israeli men after raiding a party at a luxury villa, where officers said they found MDMA pills (Ecstasy) shaped like Labubu dolls containing a risky mix of drugs.
Tourist police said they acted after residents called a hotline to report a noisy gathering. The callers also claimed foreigners were coming and going throughout Friday in a way that seemed suspicious. Officers moved in and found four Israeli men inside the house. Police said the men tried to run but were caught.
During a search, police reported finding several illegal drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy (MDMA). They also seized a polydrug that users call “candy”, made into pills shaped like the popular Labubu art toy.
Koh Phangan district chief Paisit Thongcherm said the “candy” contained high levels of MDMA and was mixed with other substances such as ketamine, cocaine, and caffeine. He said the combination can raise the risk of a fatal overdose and may lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
Thai authorities first warned the public last year about combination pills shaped like Labubu and Doraemon characters.
Officials said they were worried the toy-like designs could attract children. Some of the pills, they said, were made from MDMA and ketamine mixed with diazepam, which can be deadly. They face charges for possession and use of Category 1 and 2 narcotics. Authorities said their visas would be cancelled and they would be deported.
Police Take Down Major Cocaine Supplier
In Bangkok, police said they arrested a major cocaine dealer on Friday, bringing an end to what they described as a 10-year operation. Investigators believe she avoided arrest by using connections linked to her Nigerian ex-husband, with many customers said to be from elite circles.
Kanyapaphat “Nam” Phatwaratthaya, 38, was arrested while allegedly delivering drugs near an ice hockey rink on Soi Pridi Phanomyong 37, in the Khlong Tan Nuea area of Watthana district. Metropolitan Police deputy chief Pol Maj Gen Theeradej Thamsuthee confirmed the arrest on Saturday.
Police also detained her right-hand man and four alleged customers. Officers seized 250 grammes of cocaine and assets valued at 6.2 million baht.
Pol Maj Gen Theeradej said the case grew out of a wider crackdown after police broke up a West African drug network in Bangkok’s Nana area late last year, which was linked to her husband. Police did not share details of the husband’s case, although earlier reports said a Nigerian dealer was detained at an entertainment venue in October, after investigators found he was selling drugs with help from a Thai wife.
Investigators said Ms Kanyapaphat admitted she had long ties to West African gangs and knew where to get cheaper cocaine. Police claimed she became a key supplier through her ex-husband’s contacts and stayed under the radar by using discreet delivery methods.
Her alleged sales records also pointed to many clients from Thai high society, Pol Maj Gen Theeradej said, adding that cocaine is costly and often used by wealthy buyers. Police said they would examine the client ledger and prosecute anyone involved, no matter their status.
Officers also searched a condominium owned by Ms Kanyapaphat in the Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan. Police said they seized a Toyota Alphard Hybrid van, a Mazda CX-30, a Mazda 2, 10 gold bars, gold necklaces, and more than 30 luxury brand items. Authorities also froze her bank accounts, which held more than 800,000 baht.
