At 11PM today, police announced the arrest of nine members of a drug gang who had become minor celebrities on YouTube. They were caught in possession of one pistol, 100 methamphetamine pills and 19 grams of crystal meth.
Police made the arrests following the search of a house in Nonthaburi. They approached the residence after receiving a tip that it housed the Thonburi drug gang, whose members ranged in age from 15 to 23.
23-year-old gang leader Phongsathorn Phanthong, also known as “Arm Oros,” admitted to his offense, saying that he fled the capital because he was pressured by the police’s search.
After a conflict with the Oros gang, Arm set up his new gang and named it “Kanomwan,” which means “dessert” in Thai. In the past few months, Thai netizens have buzzed about the Oros gang’s online video clips, which contained images of drugs and firearms and told the story of the conflicts between the two groups. The online phenomenon has brought concerns about gun possession, drug addiction and gang violence to the forefront of Thai society.
According to FM91, Arm and his friends were charged with possession of a class one drug with intent to distribute and unlawful carrying of a firearm.
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