Police raid ‘illegal’ businesses of drug suspects in Pattaya City
Raids on Pattaya-based businesses reportedly owned by two high-profile drug suspects, including an Australian man, revealed they were engaged in several illegal activities, police said.
Police raided a hotel, pub and restaurant owned by Luke Joshua Cook, 34, and his Thai wife in the Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri province at about 2am on Sunday. The raid revealed that the hotel and pub was operating without a proper licence and several foreign workers there did not have proper work permits. In addition, police found drug abuse and one of the workers also tested positive in a drug test. Workers found violating the law were taken to Muang Pattaya Police Station for further legal action.
The raid followed the arrest of Cook and his wife at Suvarnabhumi Airport on December 10 on suspicion that they might have engaged in transborder drug trafficking. Available evidence allegedly links the couple to bags of crystal methamphetamine that were swept ashore on Mae Ram Peung beach three years ago. The bags were reportedly thrown into the sea from the couple’s yacht after they were challenged by a nearby patrol boat. Source: Asia nation
