A BRITON and his Thai girlfriend were arrested in Chiang Mai early this morning (August 4) in a successful police sting operation but the couple later explained that they saw themselves as being like Robin Hood having sold drugs to get money to help Covid-19 victims, Thai Rath newspaper said.
At 6 a.m. this morning Pol. Col. Thawatchai Pongwiwattanachai, deputy chief for investigation at Provincial Police Region 5, and his team arrested Mr. Mitesh Govind Varsani, 38, and Ms. Siriphon Sunthonchamon, 32, in Mueang district after seizing three ecstasy pills, 86.2 grammes of marijuana and 55.4 grammes of cocaine the former had in his possession.
Also seized from them were a sedan and a van.
The sting operation was mounted after police received complaints that a foreign man and his Thai girlfriend, who is a DJ at a famous night club, had started a Line group to sell ecstasy pills, cocaine and marijuana to the high-end tourists and wealthy folk in Chiang Mai while also frequently holding drug parties.
Police tracked this group and zeroed in on the couple who lived in a luxury house at a posh housing estate in Doi Saket district.
An undercover policeman got in touch with them and struck a deal to buy two bags of cocaine for 8,000 baht and three ecstasy pills for 3,000 baht after which he transferred the money as agreed.
Varsani was fooled and drove to a hotel in Chiang Mai with the drugs to give to the undercover policeman and was immediately arrested upon doing so.
He was taken to his house where Siriphon too was arrested and more items seized.
Upon being questioned Varsani told police that he is the owner of an imported solar panel installation company and he regularly smokes marijuana.
Regarding cocaine, he said found out there was strong demand for this drug among partygoers so ordered it from Europe with payment made with bitcoin. However he added this drug was only sold to people over 30 years of age and not children.
In the over one year he sold this drug he made a lot of money but he claimed he used it to help children and villagers affected by coronavirus and had channelled over 1 million baht to them.
Varsani added that he felt he did the right thing similar to the legendary Robin Hood who robbed the rich and gave the poor.
After investigation was completed both suspects together with the seized drugs and other items were taken to Phuping Ratchaniwet police station for legal action.
CAPTION:
The suspect, Varsani, being arrested in Chiang Mai early this morning. Photos: Thai Rath
