Immigration police arrested “Dom,” a major American drug agent, seizing cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy, and the new synthetic drug “Meow Meow” hidden in a secret compartment in a sofa armrest. Valued at over 13 million baht, he had been hiding on Koh Phangan for seven years, evolving from user to major dealer.
On 23 Oct 2026, reporters reported that under the urgent policy of Police General Samran Nualma, Commissioner-General of Police, Pol. Lt. Gen. Nopasit Poolsawat, Commander of Immigration Police Division, Pol. Maj. Gen. Thanit Thaiwatcharamat, Deputy Commander, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Natthakorn Praphayont, Deputy Commander, emphasized accelerating the crackdown on transnational crime and foreign offenders, especially drug networks in key tourist areas, under the vision “Investigate, Crack Down, Don’t Let Them Stay in Our Country.”
Pol. Col. Charoenpong Khantiloh, spokesman for Immigration Police Region 6, stated that under the leadership of Pol. Maj. Gen. Chutharet Yingyongdamrongsakul, Commander of Immigration Police Region 6, and Pol. Col. Natthawut Saengduan, Deputy Commander, they ordered Pol. Col. Naruwat Phutthawiro, Superintendent of Surat Thani Immigration Police, to lead an investigation team to dismantle a transnational drug network on Koh Phangan, expanding from the May arrests of Brazilian and Israeli drug dealers.
Investigations identified a major American dealer nicknamed “Dom,” or Jared Dominic, 34, who sourced large quantities of drugs to sell to foreign tourists, especially at island parties. Financial checks revealed clear links to previously arrested networks, prompting close surveillance.
On 21 Oct 2026 at about 16:10, officers arrested Dom on Haad Yao Road, Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, with multiple drugs hidden inside socks. They then searched his residence in Village 2, Koh Phangan Subdistrict.
During the search, officers noticed Dom sitting fixedly on a sofa, refusing to move for the search. A detailed inspection uncovered a modified secret compartment in the sofa’s armrest used to hide large quantities of drugs, packaging equipment, digital scales, mobile phones, and financial records.
The search seized cocaine weighing 1.6 kilograms, ketamine (1.4 kilograms of crystals and 340 tablets), 2,540 ecstasy tablets, 349 grams of MDMA, and 72 grams of mephedrone (4-MMC), known among tourists as “Meow Meow,” a new synthetic psychoactive substance popular with foreign tourists. The total value was about 13 million baht. Officers also found mobile phone evidence advertising drug sales with details on types, prices, and bulk discounts.
Preliminary interrogation revealed Dom had lived on Koh Phangan for over seven years, entering the drug trade in 2023, starting as a user before becoming a major dealer. Authorities remain uncertain whether his drug sources are local agents or direct imports from abroad and will continue investigating accomplices.
Authorities initially charged Dom with illegal sale and possession of drugs for sale and illegal cocaine use. He was detained with the evidence and handed over to Koh Phangan Police Station for strict legal proceedings.