Thai police raid karaoke bar, arrest 3 Vietnamese on drug charges

By Minh Nga   October 14, 2024 | 01:09 am PT
Thai police have arrested three Vietnamese employees for drug possession and trafficking during a raid on a karaoke bar claimed as exclusively serving Vietnamese customers in the central province of Nonthaburi.

The raid took place at 1 a.m. last Saturday at a parlor in Bang Bua Thong District, where authorities uncovered illegal operations targeting patrons.

Colonel Phreut Chamroonsart, Chief of Bang Bua Thong police, stated that they had received prior intelligence suggesting the karaoke bar was involved in illegal drug sales and was operated by foreigners, Bangkok Post reported.

During the search, police seized a handgun with three bullets, along with several packages containing ecstasy and ketamine.

The individuals arrested were identified as one woman and two men: Ho Thi Bien, 28; Hoang Duc Anh, 35; and Nguyen Huu Long, 31. An interpreter was brought in to assist with their interrogation.

According to The Thaiger, the suspects claimed that the bar was owned by a Thai citizen and that they were merely caretakers, each receiving a monthly salary of 15,000 baht (US$450).

Colonel Phreut confirmed that no customers were present during the raid and that the karaoke bar had only been in operation for 10 days. Local investigators had been monitoring the establishment after receiving information that it catered exclusively to Vietnamese clientele.

The three suspects have been charged with drug possession with intent to sell, illegal possession of a firearm, illegal entry, and working without a permit. They are currently being held in police custody, awaiting legal proceedings under Thai law.

Investigators plan to shut down the karaoke bar and summon its Thai owner for questioning.

 
 
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