British Suspect and Three Thais Arrested in Pattaya Drug and Gun Networks Crackdown
British Suspect and Three Thais Arrested in Pattaya Drug and Gun Networks Crackdown
PATTAYA, May 20, 2026 — Thai police arrested a British national and three Thai suspects in a series of anti-crime operations in Pattaya that uncovered illegal drugs, firearms and ammunition, authorities said on Wednesday.
The raids, carried out in Chon Buri province on May 19, were part of an intensified crackdown on narcotics trafficking and illegal weapons possession ordered by provincial police commanders.
Police identified the British suspect as David Edward Harrison, 40, who was arrested at a residence in South Pattaya after undercover officers allegedly arranged a drug purchase worth 3,500 baht.
Authorities said officers seized 5.67 grammes of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “ice,” along with 49 methamphetamine tablets during the operation.
Investigators later expanded the probe and arrested a Thai woman, identified as 43-year-old Nittaya Iangsun, on Sukhumvit Road in South Pattaya. Police alleged she was preparing to deliver drugs to an undercover officer when she was intercepted.
Police said 66.3 grammes of crystal methamphetamine were recovered from her vehicle and that the arrest was linked to information obtained during the earlier operation involving the British suspect.
In a separate firearms investigation, police arrested two Thai men identified as Danaiyathorn “Benz” Charoonchai, 27, and Nattaphon “Kak” Soithong, 28, after arranging an undercover purchase of an illegal firearm for 38,000 baht.
Authorities said one suspect attempted to flee and discard a weapon during the arrest operation, but officers managed to detain him. Police later recovered another loaded firearm allegedly carried for personal protection.
A subsequent search of a property connected to the suspects led to the seizure of three firearms and a large quantity of ammunition, police said.
All four suspects were transferred to investigators for legal proceedings while authorities continue efforts to identify other individuals linked to the alleged drug trafficking and illegal firearms networks operating in Pattaya.
