British Man Arrested Over Phuket Shooting Of Iraqi Tourist Linked To Alleged International Drug Dispute
Thai police have arrested a British man accused of supplying firearms to a gunman involved in the fatal shooting of an Iraqi tourist in Phuket earlier this year, with investigators suspecting the killing may be tied to an international drug trafficking conflict.
The arrest was carried out by Thailand’s Crime Suppression Division (CSD) following months of investigations into the high-profile shooting that took place in Patong, one of Phuket’s busiest tourist districts.
Authorities believe the murder was not random, but instead linked to organised criminal networks operating across borders.
Iraqi Tourist Shot Dead In Phuket Street Ambush
The case stems from a fatal shooting on Feb. 7, 2026, along Siriraj Road in Patong, Phuket.
According to Thai police, the victim was a 24-year-old Iraqi tourist identified as Amir Munder Mahmoud Mahmoud.
Investigators said a Colombian national allegedly opened fire on the victim before attempting to flee the country.
Police later arrested the suspected gunman, identified as 39-year-old Fernando Ested Guevara Sanchez, near Phuket International Airport while he was reportedly preparing to escape Thailand.
During raids linked to the case, officers seized motorcycles, firearms, ammunition and clothing allegedly worn during the attack.
British Suspect Allegedly Supplied Weapons
Further investigations reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting that several foreign nationals may have assisted in planning the killing.
Thai authorities later secured an arrest warrant for a 33-year-old British man identified as Amir, who was accused of supplying weapons used in the murder.
The suspect was eventually tracked down and arrested at a condominium in Pattaya, Chonburi province.
Police said additional items believed to be connected to the case were seized during the operation.
He now faces multiple charges, including abetting premeditated murder, illegal possession of firearms and carrying weapons in public without authorisation.
During questioning, the British national reportedly denied all allegations.
Police Suspect Links To International Drug Networks
Thai investigators believe the murder may have stemmed from disputes involving overseas drug trafficking operations.
Authorities described the killing as a coordinated operation involving multiple foreign nationals and suggested the suspects may have connections to organised crime groups operating internationally.
The case has attracted significant attention in Thailand due to the involvement of foreign suspects from multiple countries, including Britain, Colombia and Iraq.
Phuket remains one of Thailand’s biggest tourist destinations, attracting millions of international visitors annually, though authorities have increasingly cracked down on transnational criminal activity involving foreign gangs in recent years.
The British suspect has since been handed over to Patong Police for further legal proceedings as investigations continue.