Police bust Samui coke gang

The ring is headed by an Iranian and local and foreign accomplices.

A 100-strong police operation yesterday arrested gang members on the island.

US agents help

Working with United States' drug agents, police searched 13 locations on the island used by the ring, says Narcotics Suppression Bureau commander Lt-General Wut Liptapanlop.

They nabbed 38-year-old Iranian Ramin "Richy" Ahmani, also known as Shahriar Zarghamzade, the suspected ringleader.

Also arrested was a British citizen, identified as Lee Campbell Bimty, 34.

Wut says police seized cash in various currencies as well as bank passbooks in the names of Ahmani and his accomplices.

The Anti-Money Laun-dering Office will seek the assets of the gang.

Wealthy dealer

Police say Ahmani bought cocaine, Ecstasy and other drugs from Ghanaian and Nigerian nationals to sell to tourists on Samui and Pha-ngan islands.

He is said to be a wealthy man, owning a yacht, cars, a night-entertainment venue and several gift shops.

The US anti-drugs agency asked Thailand to watch the man because he's suspected of long-time narcotics trafficking between Asia and the Americas.

Wut says police continue to crackdown on crime on the holiday islands. The Tourism Authority is promoting them as drug-free destinations.