Thai authorities arrested four Israelis in Koh Phangan on Jan. 11 on suspicion of running a drug trafficking network, Hebrew media reported on Wednesday.
Footage uploaded by Thai media shows local police officers raiding a villa, arresting a man and two women. The law enforcement personnel seized approximately 0.12 ounces of cocaine, 1.02 ounces of ketamine, 0.03 ounces of powdered MDMA and 29 electronic cigarettes, according to Ynet.
The Israelis told investigators that they had procured the drugs from an Israeli man who lives on the island. Later that day, police raided his home as well and found greater amounts of drugs: approximately 1.18 ounces of cocaine, 0.57 ounces of ketamine, MDMA pills and additional powdered MDMA, LSD blotter tabs and 79,000 baht ($2,500) in cash.
The suspects allegedly sold drugs for parties of Israeli tourists on the island, the report read.
The four are detained in the local police station and are awaiting their sentences.
Authorities were cited as saying that they intend to expel the suspects and ban them from entering the country.
The police raid on Sunday took place following complaints of a loud nighttime party and suspicious movement of individuals entering and leaving a villa in the island’s Mo 4 district, Ynet reported.
A judge on Wednesday denied their release on bail, noting that none admitted ownership of the drugs that were seized. The three Israelis from the first raiding location are represented by a local attorney, the report said.
The male suspect, 33, is a survivor of the Supernova music festival massacre on Oct. 7, 2023, and works in the nightlife industry, according to Ynet.
The two female suspects are 24 and 23 years old.
The fourth suspect, 48, is a former chef and self-described nature-party enthusiast. He has a son and daughter and resides in Koh Phangan, according to the report.
