British cryptocurrency trader faces LIFE in prison after ‘drug-fuelled shooting spree while riding a speedboat’ off of Thai island
- Benjamin Robert Simpson, 33, ‘took meth with the speedboat cruise captain’
- He owned the speedboat from which he alleged fired several rounds
- Officers confiscated three guns and nearly 7 grams of meth from Simpson
A British man faces life in prison after an alleged shooting spree while high on drugs on board a speedboat off a Thai island.
Benjamin Robert Simpson, 33, a wealthy cryptocurrency trader allegedly fired several rounds from a handgun towards the Four Seasons Hotel where he had been staying on Koh Samui, while he, and the boat’s driver, were high on meth.
Police said the speedboat belonged to Simpson and he had hired the man arrested with him as his personal speedboat driver.
Lieutenant Colonel Chatchewin Nakmoosik, Deputy Director of the Koh Samui Police Station, said that Simpson had arrived in Thailand as a tourist but had started working as a cryptocurrency trader and was very wealthy.
He allegedly took meth with the speedboat’s captain before the pair set off on a cruise around Koh Samui that ended in a ‘drug-fuelled shooting spree’, on Wednesday.
Witnesses said hotel staff cowered in fear during the alleged shooting spree and later contacted the police for help.
Officers rushed to the five star hotel and arrested Simpson when he returned to his room after the speedboat trip.
Benjamin Robert Simpson (centre), 33, reportedly took meth with the speedboat’s captain before the pair set off on a cruise around Koh Samui together
Police said they found a 9mm Beretta pistol with 31 bullets and a revolver with 49 bullets inside his hotel room
Police said they found a 9mm Beretta pistol with 31 bullets and a revolver with 49 bullets inside his hotel room.
After further search, officers also reportedly found a plastic bag containing a white substance lying on the floor believed to be 6.85 grams of the illegal drug methamphetamine.
Several meth pipes were also confiscated.
Speedboat driver Geerati Glinubol was arrested in the hotel room together with Simpson.
Glinubol allegedly confessed to the police that he had been taking drugs with Simpson before they went on the speedboat cruise together.
Simpson and Glinubol were taken to the police station where they were questioned on suspicion of the illegal possession of firearms, prohibited drug use, and firing guns in the community
Police officers reportedly confiscated a plastic bag containing a white substance lying on the floor believed to be 6.85 grams of the illegal drug methamphetamine
Simpson then allegedly boasted about his collection of guns and fired them into the ocean, sparking panic on nearby beaches.
Officers said they found the 9mm pistol in Simpson’s bag after he was searched for evidence.
The two were taken to the police station where they were questioned on suspicion of the illegal possession of firearms, prohibited drug use, and firing guns in the community.
Lieutenant Colonel Chatchewin Nakmoosik, Deputy Director of the Koh Samui Police Station and Lieutenant Colonel Phingkharat Sai Khwan, Deputy Director General of the Immigration Bureau, coordinated to organise Simpson’s arrest.
Lieutenant Colonel Nakmoosik said: ‘Hotel staff heard guns being fired so they called the police.
‘They said the gunshots were near the hotel and they were scared.
‘We arrested Benjamin Robert Simpson in the hotel room and found two guns and methamphetamine.
‘We put him in handcuffs and kept him at the police station while we investigate and check CCTV.’
Simpson is facing a maximum punishment of life in prison or the death penalty, thought it is very rarely used.
Meth possession carries a term up to ten years in prison and/or a fine of between £485 and £4,850.
Using guns illegally has a maximum punishment of life in prison or the death penalty.
Thai police put Simpson in handcuffs and kept him at the police station while they opened an investigation into the alleged drug-fuelled shooting spree
Officers said they found the 9mm pistol in Simpson’s bag after he was searched for evidence