Thailand police arrest Russian man, 27, for promoting drugs via QR codes

A Russian man was arrested by police in Thailand on Nov. 6 for promoting drugs via QR codes.

Semien Kaspayan, 27, had emerged as a key suspect in a drug related case, Khaosod Online reported.

Kaspayan had previously fled an arrest warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court for the offense of advertising illegal drugs without permission.

Thaiger reported that Kaspayan, who was arrested by Surat Thani Immigration Police, is suspected to be part of a wider online drug ring targeting tourists in Thailand through crypto and QR code technology.

QR code drugs

His arrest came after a social media tip-off.

Photos of drugs-related advertisements with QR codes were circulated on Facebook.

These advertisements were pasted on power poles in tourist areas.

The QR codes were linked to a website, THAIHUB.TOP, which showed various narcotics for sale.

In addition, the advertisements included a photo of a woman holding a bag of white powder.

Arrested

Following the tip-off, the police traced Kaspayan to a hotel in Koh Samui, an island off the eastern coast of southern Thailand.

Khaosod Online reported that he has been hiding there since Nov. 4, 2015.

According to police officers, Kaspayan was sitting in front of his room and acting suspiciously.

He rushed out the back of the hotel once he saw police officers approaching.

Police officers apprehended him after a short chase and searched his room.

They discovered a large stash of QR code stickers.

The search also revealed images on his phone which he is suspected of using to report back to his handler.

Confession

Once he was caught, Kaspayan confessed to communicating with an unidentified foreign website administrator via Telegram, a messaging app popular among Russians.

The administrator allegedly sent him drug promotion stickers through a private courier.

"I would stick them in different places, mostly on electric poles, and I got paid around 36 baht (S$1.45) per sticker via my crypto wallet," he said.

"I've been doing this for three days and earned around 9,718 baht (S$391)."

However, police do not buy the full story, according to Thaiger.

They believe Kaspayan is part of a larger operation and are investigating to find other members of the drug ring.

Charged, investigation

In light of the case, Kaspayan has been charged with advertising illegal drugs without permission.

He has been handed over to officers at Cherng Talay Police Station for legal proceedings.

Immigration and narcotics units have been ordered to step up enforcement against foreigners abusing Thailand's hospitality.

Top photos via Thaiger,โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต/Facebook & Khaosod English