Phuket—Region 8 Police collaborated with the Internal Security Operations Command and the Chalong Police investigative unit to arrest a Russian gang secretly operating the MUSHROOM TEMPLE and illegally selling psilocybin mushrooms to tourists, seizing over 10 kilograms of evidence amid fears of damage to the tourism image.
At 09:30 on 13 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Col. Jongserm Preecha, Investigation Chief of Region 8 Police Investigation Division, reported an important arrest to Pol. Maj. Gen. Lertchai Champathong, Commander of Region 8 Police Investigation Division. Together with Pol. Lt. Col. Kitipan Siriporn, Deputy Investigation Chief of Region 8, they led the Region 8 investigative team alongside the cross-border crime unit, Internal Security Operations Command, and Chalong Police to execute a search warrant at a rented house in Rawai Subdistrict, Mueang Phuket District on 12 Jan 2026. The search uncovered 140 bags of psilocybin mushrooms weighing about 10 kg. The house was occupied by three Russian nationals: Mr. RINAT, Mr. Aleksandr, and Ms. LANDYSH, who rented the property and owned the mushrooms. Authorities detained Mr. RINAT and Mr. Aleksandr and handed them and the evidence over to Chalong Police for prosecution on charges of jointly possessing Category 5 narcotics (psilocybin mushrooms) with intent to sell without permission. Ms. LANDYSH had fled prior to the raid, and police are pursuing her for arrest and prosecution.
This operation followed complaints received by Region 8 Police Investigation Division, Internal Security Operations Command Phuket, and Chalong Police about a Russian gang illegally selling psilocybin mushrooms. They claimed to be experts in stress relief therapy using psilocybin mushroom consumption and spiritual beliefs. They rented a house and established a place called MUSHROOM TEMPLE in Rawai Subdistrict, Mueang Phuket District, charging tourists for therapy sessions.
Some customers became intoxicated from the psilocybin mushrooms and had to pay for treatment, raising concerns about damage to Phuket’s tourism reputation. There were also worries that the mushrooms might spread at upcoming music festivals planned in Phuket.
Subsequently, Pol. Maj. Gen. Lertchai Champathong ordered Pol. Col. Adipat Kruengkrai, Deputy Commander of Region 8 Police Investigation Division, and Pol. Col. Thepnop Suwanrat, Investigation Chief of Division 3, to instruct Pol. Col. Jongserm Preecha and related agencies to investigate thoroughly, leading to the successful arrest of the suspects and seizure of evidence for prosecution.