Authorities in Koh Samui arrested a foreign woman accused of illegally operating a grocery store and smuggling drugs from Myanmar. The arrest took place on March 11, 2025, following an investigation into reports of unauthorized foreign workers selling goods in the Bo Phut area.
Officials inspected a grocery store in Moo 5, Bo Phut Subdistrict, and identified the suspect as Mrs. Hla Win Cho, a resident of Moo 6 in the same area. During the search, officers seized over 1,000 items, including unregistered drugs allegedly smuggled from Myanmar. The suspect was charged with working without a permit and selling unauthorized pharmaceuticals under the Narcotics Act. She was transferred to Bo Phut Police Station for further legal proceedings.
The operation was carried out by the Koh Samui Special Operations Unit (Hundred Islands Task Force) in coordination with local police, public health officials, and regional security forces. It was initiated following a complaint about illegal foreign labor in the area. Officials, including the Governor of Surat Thani and district security personnel, were involved in the crackdown.
