Israeli woman 'selling drugs on Thai island' breaks down as police arrest her

An Israeli woman accused of selling drugs broke down in tears as police arrested her in Thailand.

Libby Rosenfeld Cohen, 27, allegedly sold ecstasy - punishable by life in prison - on Koh Phangan island in Surat Thani province before cops detained her in a sting operation on August 7. Undercover officers arranged to meet with her in front of a house with no number. She arrived on a Yamaha Aerox motorcycle but upon spotting the police, reportedly tried to walk away surreptitiously.

The team caught her and claim she was found carrying one gram of ecstasy inside a plastic bag.

Libby was taken to the Koh Phangan Police Station, where she sat in tears as police prepared to charge her for possessing a category I drug for sale.

On the same day, a Russian hairdresser, Vladislav Rovinskii, 29, was also arrested for working a job reserved for Thai natives.

He allegedly advertised his services through the Telegram app, where customers can contact him.

Police raided his shop, which was also found to be operating without a license.

Vladislav was charged for allegedly violating the Emergency Decree on Foreigners' Working Management. The offense carries a penalty of between 5,000 to 50,000 baht, deportation, and a two-year ban on applying for work permits.

Officers have been cracking down on misbehaving foreigners in recent months, focusing on those working illegally or selling drugs.

According to Thai law, carrying Category I drugs, including LSD and ecstasy, for 'disposal or possession for the purpose of disposal', has a maximum punishment of the death sentence or life in prison. The most severe punishments are reserved for those who 'produce of import' the substances, while simply possessing the drugs can land offenders in jail for up to 10 years.