Four alleged Israeli ‘mafia’ gang members in police custody on Samui Island

Four Israelis, alleged to be key members of an Israeli organised crime organisation, have been taken into immigration police custody in Surat Thani province while awaiting deportation back to Israeli to stand trial.

Armed with a search warrant, a team of immigration and local police on Samui Island searched a luxury villa for four Israeli members, calling themselves as 'Israeli Avengers', wanted by Israeli police on numerous charges.

An immigration police source said that the four had escaped arrest in Israel to take refuge in several countries before recently settling down on Samui Island.

Immigration police managed to track them to the villa and sought a search warrant.

The four are to have their passports invalidated and will be declared persona non grata before they are deported.

Samui and Pha-ngan islands in Surat Thani and Pai district in Mae Hong Son province are hubs for many Israeli tourists and expats. These communities feature Hebrew signage, Israeli food and Chabad houses.

Their increasing population has led to cultural and business tensions with local Thai people due to the Israelis’ engagement in businesses without permission.