Immigration officers on Koh Samui have arrested two Lebanese men accused of running a restaurant as a front for drug dealing and operating an unlicensed Chinese medicine clinic.
The raid was carried out on Saturday at the “Buffalo Jungle” restaurant in tambon Maret.
The suspects, identified as Mr Ehab Awala, 38, and Mr Chadi Raidan, 28, were found inside the restaurant. A search found a large quantity of drugs including ecstasy, methamphetamine, ketamine, cocaine and magic mushrooms hidden in a bedroom. Officers also discovered equipment used in traditional Chinese medicine.
According to police, neither man had permission to practise medicine in Thailand. Both were charged with multiple drug offences. Mr Awala also faces charges for practising traditional Chinese medicine without a licence.
Police said the restaurant was registered as a company with three Thai shareholders alongside Mr Awala. However, evidence suggests the Thais may have acted as nominee shareholders.
Mr Awala was a member of the Lebanese military before moving to Thailand.
