Man wanted in fraud cases arrested on Phuket tour boat
Marine police arrested a 40-year-old man on Coral Island after a methamphetamine test, then linked him to two court warrants involving alleged money-mule activity and losses exceeding B1 million.
A 40-year-old man identified as Mr Damrong was arrested on Coral Island, south of Phuket, after testing positive for methamphetamine, according to the Phuket Marine Police.
Police said the arrest took place during an operation to improve tourist safety at sea, with officers conducting random drug tests on passenger-vessel crew members. Officers became suspicious of Damrong while inspecting a tour boat, and he admitted using methamphetamine earlier, police told The Phuket Express.
Database checks subsequently found two outstanding warrants issued by the Amnat Charoen Provincial Court and Nakhon Pathom Provincial Court. Police said the cases relate to alleged money-mule activity, in which bank accounts were opened or made available to receive funds from online investment scams. The reported losses exceeded B1 million.
Investigators believe Damrong had been hiding by working aboard the tourist vessel. He was taken to Chalong Police Station for legal proceedings. Police said he confessed to drug use but denied involvement in the fraud cases.
