Banglamung-
Twenty five Chinese people, a Burmese national, and seven Thais have been arrested at a bar in the Nongprue area yesterday in the early morning (February 10th) while they were allegedly taking drugs.
The Pattaya City Police was notified of the incident at 12:45 A.M. at a bar on Pet Trakun Road. Police initially responded as the venue was open hours past the legal closing time of 11:00 P.M.
A tip came in from what police continue to describe as a “concerned citizen afraid of the potential spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.”
Police raided the bar where they arrested 33 people who were described as 25 Chinese people, a Burmese national, and seven Thais. Many of the Chinese nationals, according to Pattaya Police, were on overstay or had entered the country illegally previously and had no visa.
Of those 33, 29 had reportedly tested positive for drugs. Police also stated that they seized 3.86 grams of ketamine from the scene as evidence.
All 33 suspects are facing charges of gathering in a small place which offends the emergency decree in place due to Covid-19 precautions in Thailand. Bars in Chonburi are currently legally supposed to be closed by 11:00 P.M., this venue was still open several hours later.
Some of the suspects are also facing charges of illegal entry and staying in Thailand, overstaying, illegal possession of drugs, and illegal usage of drugs.
The bar owner will also face multiple charges around licensing and operating past the legal closing times.
Under the emergency decree laws to control the Covid-19 coronavirus, the suspects could face sky-high fines and/or up to two years in jail in addition to harsh drug penalties.
Chonburi police warned that raids on venues open past the legal closing time of 11:00 P.M. will continue, especially over the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday weekend.
Story by The Pattaya News
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