Pattaya Police Arrest Suspects in Chaotic Drug Raid at Jomtien Beach
PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya City Police, backed by a force of over 50 officers, conducted a surprise drug raid at Jomtien Beach on March 8th, leading to the arrest of multiple suspects.
The operation targeted Soi 2 and Soi 3, triggering chaos as drug dealers and users attempted to flee, with some even trying to climb walls to escape. However, police swiftly secured the area and successfully apprehended all suspects by 10:36 A.M.
Months of Surveillance Leads to Major Arrests
Authorities had been monitoring the area for months, taking measures such as demolishing abandoned buildings to curb illegal activities. During the raid, police arrested 39-year-old Yutthana in a sting operation, seizing:
- 241 methamphetamine pills
- 8,000 baht (US$237) in cash
Yutthana, who has been arrested over 10 times for drug-related offenses, continued receiving messages from customers seeking drugs during the raid, according to local reports.
Additionally, several users were caught in the act of consuming drugs. Some shockingly remained unfazed, insisting on finishing their substances and falsely claiming that their use was legal and beneficial for health and weight loss.
Total Arrests and Crackdown Efforts
In total, police detained:
- 2 drug dealers
- 12 drug users
- A significant quantity of illegal narcotics
All individuals were taken into custody for legal proceedings as part of Pattaya’s ongoing crackdown on drug-related crimes.
Similar Raid in Jomtien Last Month
This raid follows another major anti-narcotics operation on February 28th at Soi Jomtien 3. Acting on local complaints, police arrested eight individuals, including:
- One female dealer (estimated age 50-60), selling drugs openly
- Seven drug users
A sting operation using marked cash led to the dealer’s arrest, while several suspects attempted to flee but were quickly caught. Officers seized methamphetamine (Yaba) and crystal meth (Ice), which will be used as evidence in court.
Pattaya authorities continue intensifying their anti-drug efforts, vowing to eliminate illegal drug activities across the region.
