A Russian tourist was arrested for allegedly smuggling swallowed condoms stuffed with cannabis onto a bohemian island in Thailand.

Denis Bichuk, 36, reportedly shoved the chunky balls of cannabis hash down his throat to avoid detection at customs checkpoints. He then excreted the drugs to be sold to hippies and dropouts on the island of Koh Phangan, where the Full Moon Party is held.

Police arrested the draft-dodging Ruski from Moscow in front of a convenience store on May 6 following a tip-off that he was peddling drugs to backpackers.

Officers said there were concerns over his visa status amid fears he had dodged the draft in his homeland to avoid being sent to fight on the front line in Ukraine - instead living a debauched life on the tropical island where cannabis is widely available.

Cops converged on the 7-Eleven store and found Denis 'acting suspiciously' upon noticing the uniformed personnel. He was said to have been sweating profusely during questioning, and kept fidgeting with his sling bag.

Officers searched his belongings and discovered dozens of yellowing condoms stuffed with a dark substance identified as hashish. They also seized 9.42 grammes of cocaine sealed in four sachets, 13.56 grammes of magic mushrooms, and 415.72 grammes of additional hashish from his bag.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Winit Boonchit of the Tourist Police said: 'The Russian was charged with illegally possessing and consuming category 2 narcotics, illegally possessing category 5 (magic mushroom) narcotics, and possession of controlled herbs exceeding legally permitted amounts.

‘We handed over the suspect to prosecutors and the seized items to the inquiry officer of Koh Phangan Police Station for further legal action.

'He will be deported to Russia once he has admitted his guilt or been ordered to leave by the court and immigration police.'

Denis allegedly admitted that he had smuggled the hashish from Bhutan in condoms, and had planned to sell them at high prices.

He added that he had bought the cocaine from another tourist on a beach on Koh Phangan for 4,000 baht (92 GBP) per gramme.

Denis was detained at the Koh Phangan Police Station for legal proceedings.

Police said the case was linked to a previously identified international drug network operating on the island.

Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak Am, the commander of the Tourist Police said: 'I have instructed the chiefs of tourist police stations in key destinations and surrounding areas to urgently crack down on all criminal activities committed by foreign groups.

'Every offender must be prosecuted without exception, as we are committed to protecting our tourism image and restoring confidence among visitors through firm and decisive action.'

Koh Phangan is known as a 'hippie paradise' for its serene beaches, spiritual retreats, and bohemian communities drawn to its natural beauty. The island's combination of yoga schools, vegan cafes, and psychedelic Full Moon Parties has made it a popular tourist destination since the 1980s.

However, the throngs of dropouts that fill the island often lack the correct visas and work permits. Instead, they survive by illegally holding obscure meditation workshops and offering alternative therapies.

Koh Phangan, along with neighbouring Bali, Indonesia, have become popular destinations for young Russian and Ukrainian men of fighting age who are fleeing conscription in their homelands. Some even run businesses illegally from the destinations.

(1 GBP = 43.63 THB)