Dark side of holiday island where ‘easy prey' Brits are lured into drug rings & dangerous criminals hide in plain sight
The stunning destination has proven the perfect smokescreen for international criminals to hide in plain sight - and narc kingpins to "prey" on unsuspecting holidaymakers.
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The island attracts millions of tourists each year, but they don't all have innocent intentions
Credit: Alamy
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Kieren Thornton and Ashton Saunders were detained in two separate raids on Koh Samui in southern Thailand on May 24
Credit: ViralPress
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Koh Samui provides a year-round magnet for sunseeking Brit backpackers and other travellers
Credit: Alamy
With fugitives merrily running businesses, a booming international drugs trade...
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Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Club pays tribute to UK footballer twins, 20, killed along with mum, dad & 2 others in horror Portugal head on crash
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FOOTBALL club has vowed tragic twins Afonso and Domingos will be 'never forgotten' after they were among six killed in a horror head-on smash in Portugal. The 20-year-old siblings, their dad Domingos Serrano, 55, wife Maria Joao, 51, and two others all died in the early hours of Saturday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 A football club has paid tribute to twins, 20, and parents, 55 & 51, killed in head-on smash in Portugal Credit: 5 Domingos and Afonso, 20, used to play at Thetford Town Youth FC Credit: Solarpix 5 The family had just rented a Nissan Juke at Faro Airport before they smashed into another vehicle on the IP2 main road near Castro Verde. The 19-year-old girlfriend of one of the twins – believed to be of Polish origin but living in the UK – was also killed, along with the other driver, 36-year-old Ruben Goncalves. Local reports said Goncalves, from Almodovar, worked at the Neves-Corvo zinc-copper mine and had a four-year-old son. Thetford Town Youth FC, where the twins once played, paid tribute in a heartfelt Facebook post. It read: 'Thetford Town Football Club would like to pass on our sincere condolences to the Serrano family and the local Portuguese community after the recent tragedy while on holiday. 'Afonso and Domingo's were both an integral part of our U18's team in recent years, both brothers sadly passed away in Portugal with their parents and friends in a tragic car accident.' The club said their loss would leave a 'massive void' in the local community, signing off with a Portuguese phrase meaning: 'They are gone, but they will never be forgotten.' It added in a separate post: 'They will be sadly missed. Condolences to all their family. Rest in peace.' Shocked locals have also shared their condolences online. Heidi Smith commented: 'Absolute shock a lovely family and will be missed.' Brit granddad, 62, 'was in RELATIONSHIP with daughter-in-law, 33, he tried to drown in Florida resort pool' Michelle Jermy added: 'Absolutely heartbreaking. Such a loss, condolences to all those grieving and thinking of family, friends and the wider community processing the pain from this sad news. Rest in peace.' Louise McLaughlin, from Thetford, said: 'Absolutely heartbreaking. Rest in peace.' Tania Marques Da Cruz wrote: 'My most sincere condolences to all those killed. I hope their souls rest in peace. 'It's so sad to hear of people leaving their homeland and friends in search of a better life and then have their lives end like this. How unfair life is.' Cesar Caleiro said: 'My sincere condolences to the loved ones of those killed. Mourao must rally round to comfort the families of the victims.' The crash happened around 1.40am on a stretch of road where the speed limit is 49mph. The family – originally from Mourao in the Evora district but long settled in England – had landed at Faro Airport just hours earlier and were driving north for their summer break. Domingos, believed to live in Thetford, Norfolk, had celebrated his 55th birthday only two days before boarding the flight to Portugal. A source close to the investigation said the wreckage was so severe 'officers could only recover half a number plate' before piecing together who was inside. The grim discovery came after the couple's daughter called police, unable to reach her parents or brothers after hearing about the crash. The insider said: 'With the information she gave them officers made checks with the hire car firm at Faro Airport and tragically discovered a match. 'That was how they were able to confirm the identities of the five occupants in the car with the four members of the same family inside.' The GNR police force is investigating the cause of the smash. Mourao town hall has declared two days of mourning from Sunday. A spokesman said: 'There were four occupants in the car, all from Mourao, and a young woman with ties to the family. 'Residents of England, they were traveling from Faro to Mourao for their usual and well-deserved vacation. 'It is with great sadness that the Municipality announces this information, offering its condolences to the families and friends of the victims. 'We inform you that all activities and events promoted by the Municipality are cancelled for the entire weekend.' 5 Twins Domingos and Afonso, 20, dad Domingos Serrano, 55, and mum Maria Joao, 51, died in a horror car crash in Portugal Credit: Solarpix
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Scotland's most notorious killer ‘friends' profiled – as expert warns of deadly signs to look out for
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Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit dad ‘who tried to drown his daughter-in-law turned girlfriend in pool' will be charged with attempted murder in US
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRIT dad accused of trying to drown his daughter-in-law will be formally charged with attempted murder in the US. Mark Gibbon, 62, was arrested at the luxury Solterra Resort in Florida last Sunday after allegedly forcing 33-year-old Jasmine Wyld's head underwater 'multiple times' in a furious row over his will. 6 Mark Gibbon, 62, will be charged with the attempted murder of his daughter-in-law tomorrow Credit: Polk County Sheriff's Office/PA Wire 6 Hairdresser Jasmine Wyld, 33, was saved by her daughter and two neighbours after Gibbon allegedly forced her head underwater Credit: Facebook 6 Gibbon and Wyld have been pictured together on several occasions since their separations from their partners Credit: Facebook The wealthy lighting engineer – who has worked with Mick Jagger, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and the late Queen – is expected to apply for bail but may be refused it, as US prosecutors reportedly see him as a "flight risk". Mr Gibbon, of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, has already appeared in court on two battery charges, each carrying $1,000 bail. But a source said his attempted murder hearing is "a different level of seriousness" as he is expected to be charged tomorrow. The insider told Mail on Sunday: "He could technically be eligible for bail but because of his wealth and the fact he is a British citizen a judge may consider him too high a flight risk. "If bail were to be considered then he would have to surrender his passport and have to agree to wear a monitoring device." Officials at Polk County Prison refused to comment on his detention conditions for safety reasons, but he is expected to appear before the judge in orange prison overalls. "He will be taken from his cell and transported to court in shackles and handcuffs but they may be removed inside the courtroom at the discretion of the judge," the insider added. Wyld's nine-year-old daughter is said to have leapt into the pool to try to "save" her mother. Police reports claim Gibbon's alleged attack left her with scratches and bruising. Both Gibbon and Wyld told police they are not romantically involved, although detectives are reportedly probing claims they have been lovers for years. Moment drunk Brit pensioner, 66, is left with broken arm after getting into fight with Thai bar girl & being thrown to ground Neighbours in Beaconsfield described Wyld as Gibbon's "girlfriend" and said she was often seen at his £800,000 semi-detached home. One neighbour told The Sun: "Everybody is shocked by this." Another, who said she was Wyld's friend, recalled: "Jasmine used to stay here a lot with the children. But I don't want to say much more because she is a friend of mine." Family insiders claim tensions erupted years ago when Gibbon's son Alex allegedly found Wyld in his father's bed. 'About four years ago there was a big fall-out,' one source the Daily Mail. 'Alex went up the stairs and found Jasmine in his father's bed. They had a massive row. It's torn the family apart… there's been so much bad blood between Alex and his dad.' Alex, 32, and Wyld separated in 2021 but share two young children. The feud deepened when Alex was jailed for driving an £80,000 Porsche Cayenne into his father during a public row. He was released six months ago, and father and son no longer speak. Gibbon, who also runs hairdressing business Sage Hairdressing, allegedly pushed Wyld underwater during the Florida row after telling her she was not the main beneficiary of his will. He reportedly admitted pushing her but denied trying to kill her, claiming they had both been drinking, she slapped him, and the situation escalated. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said: 'We expect vacationers to behave while they visit with us, just as we expect our life-long residents to do the same. 'Because Mr Gibbon couldn't control his anger he may find himself spending a lot more time in Florida than he had anticipated.' If convicted on all charges, Gibbon could face up to 20 years in jail. 6 Wyld was reportedly left with a scratch on her chest after getting into the heated row Credit: Facebook 6 Detectives are reportedly probing claims they have been lovers for years, although both deny being romantically involved Credit: Facebook
