KAMALA, THAILAND — Kamala Police scored a major victory in their ongoing war on drugs with the arrest of a 35-year-old woman, Marina Prabphet, also known as Ja Lek or Teua Lek, who is believed to be a central figure in a large drug distribution network.
Marina was arrested at her residence in Village 8, Ban Phru Samphan, Thepkrasattri subdistrict, on Wednesday, December 11. The arrest was part of the Protect Kamala campaign, which has been cracking down on narcotics in the area. Authorities seized assets totaling over 3.3 million baht, including three bank accounts, two motorbikes, and four rental properties—all suspected to be purchased with proceeds from drug sales.
According to Kamala Police Chief Police Colonel Somsak Thongkliang, evidence linked Marina to a distribution network where she acted as a middleman. Instead of directly possessing drugs, she managed the supply chain and laundered profits into properties.
The year-long investigation began with the arrest of smaller drug offenders in Kamala, gradually leading police to uncover Marina’s extensive operations, which funneled drugs into local communities. Dealers allegedly paid Marina for laundering their drug sales profits.
Marina, who has a history of drug-related offences, reportedly returned to criminal activities after serving a prison sentence. The rental properties she owned in Ban Phru Samphan are now under scrutiny, with authorities continuing to target her network.
The operation was hailed as a collaborative effort between Kamala Police and the Phuket Provincial Police narcotics team. Phuket Provincial Police Chief Police Major General Sinlert Sukhum and Deputy Commander Pol. Col. Akknit Danpitaksan were specifically praised for their pivotal roles in the bust.
“We are committed to dismantling these drug networks to ensure the safety of our communities,” said Police Colonel Somsak, emphasizing that this arrest is only the beginning of their efforts to reclaim Kamala from drug cartels.
In related news, authorities in Thailand’s Thung Song district also struck a significant blow against the local narcotics trade by apprehending another suspected drug kingpin.