Russian woman arrested in Phuket over alleged illegal cosmetic clinic
Police said a 45-year-old Russian woman was arrested after a raid on a Phuket villa allegedly used as an illegal cosmetic clinic, with more than 600,000 baht of medical products and equipment seized.
A 45-year-old Russian woman was arrested in Phuket on June 7 after police raided a luxury villa in Thalang district that they said was allegedly being used as an illegal cosmetic clinic.
The Central Investigation Bureau said the arrest was carried out through the Crime Suppression Division, whose officers worked with the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office in the operation.
Police said medical products, supplies, equipment and devices worth more than 600,000 baht were seized from the suspect, identified only as Kristine. Officers said 32 types of items were seized, totalling 130 pieces.
According to Pol Maj Gen Phatthanasak Bubphasuwan, commander of the Crime Suppression Division, officers searched the house in tambon Thepkasattri after receiving information that a foreigner was running an unlicensed beauty clinic in the area. Police said they gathered evidence and obtained a search warrant from Phuket Provincial Court before the raid. The new source identified the warrant as No. 107/2569.
During the raid, the Russian national identified herself as the owner of the property and cooperated with the search, police said. Officers then found a Thai woman lying on a treatment bed in a ground-floor bedroom in what appeared to be a cosmetic procedure setting.
Police said Ms Kristine could not produce licences to operate a medical facility or a medical professional licence when questioned. According to police, she admitted the premises were not licensed as a medical facility and that she did not have a medical professional licence. Police also said she admitted that some medicines, medical supplies, equipment and medical devices had been brought into Thailand from Russia through an airport and used to serve clients at the villa.
Authorities said the seized items included botulinum toxin, or Botox, hyaluronic acid fillers, anaesthetic, injectable collagen, lidocaine injections and nimesulide granules used for pain relief. Police also found syringes, needles, gloves, used medical waste and disposable equipment.
Pol Maj Gen Phatthanasak said the suspect was initially charged with illegally operating a medical facility, selling unregistered medical products, selling unregistered medical devices and selling modern medicine without a licence. The new source said authorities also charged her with importing drugs and medical equipment without proper registration.
Police said she denied all charges during questioning. She was handed over, along with the seized evidence, to investigators at Thalang police station for legal proceedings.
The operation was directed by Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chaonanasai, commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, Pol Maj Gen Phatthanasak, and Pol Col Thanawat Hinyokhin, commander of Crime Suppression Division Subdivision 5. The arrest team was led by Pol Lt Col Thanisorn Huiwechachat, according to the new source.
