Koh Phangan tourist police arrested a Russian DJ spinning records at a party, identified as a major drug agent. Authorities plan to expand investigations into an AI-driven transnational drug network.
On 9 March 2026, under the policy of Pol. Lt. Gen. Saksira Phueak-am, Commander of the Tourist Police Division, emphasizing strict action against foreign nationals harming the tourism image, tourist police arrested a Russian DJ along with multiple drug items. They discovered the suspect used AI systems to order and receive drugs, attempting to evade government authorities.
Pol. Lt. Winij Boonchit, Superintendent of Tourist Police Division 5, received a tip from an informant about a foreign man residing in Soi Bo Kha, Koh Phangan Subdistrict, Koh Phangan District, Surat Thani Province, who was secretly selling various drugs to tourists. The tourists used a red sedan registered in Phuket as transportation. Acting on the tip, officers planned surveillance and followed the suspect by car.
They observed the target vehicle speeding out of the alley, swerving as if under the influence of drugs. Officers pursued the car to Hua Thian Pier, Village 1, Ban Tai Subdistrict, where they identified themselves and conducted a search. The suspect was Mr. Anton, a 41-year-old Russian national, who admitted to recently using cocaine before leaving home. Officers then took him into custody and searched his unnumbered residence in Soi Bo Kha.
The search uncovered drugs Mr. Anton had prepared for sale, including 109.06 grams and 6.63 grams of cocaine, 1.67 grams and 9.70 grams of ketamine, 4.42 grams of crystal MDMA, and 5 tablets of MDMA.
Initially, during questioning, Mr. Anton confessed he worked as a DJ playing music at various venues on Koh Phangan, which served as a channel for selling drugs to tourists. His method of acquiring drugs was advanced: he ordered via the Telegram app, using an AI system that responded automatically. He just selected the drug type, paid by credit card, and the AI sent GPS coordinates. He then traveled to the location and dug up the drugs buried there.
The arresting officers charged him with trafficking Category 2 narcotics (cocaine) and Category 1 narcotics (MDMA) for distribution to the public, trafficking Category 2 controlled substances (ketamine), possession of Category 1 narcotics (MDMA), and cocaine consumption. The suspect and evidence were handed over to Koh Phangan Police Station for legal proceedings.
Pol. Lt. Winij Boonchit stated this is a major case in Koh Phangan involving drug sales by a foreign national disguised as a DJ. Using the DJ role as a cover, he aimed to mislead authorities while distributing drugs to tourists on Koh Phangan. Drug exchanges were arranged at various locations. The tourist police team plans to extend investigations to the AI-driven transnational drug network.