In a significant drug bust, police from Bang Kaeo Police Station seized over 500 kilograms of cannabis, worth an estimated 5 million baht (approximately US$149,000), from a luxury residence in Samut Prakan province on April 23. The operation, led by Police Colonel Adirek Thongkamkaew, targeted a property in the Rachathewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, following a court-approved search warrant.
The raid resulted in the arrest of six individuals: three Thai women, one Thai man, one Chinese man, and one Lebanese national. Inside the house, police discovered large quantities of cannabis flowers, neatly packaged in plastic bags, ready for distribution. Also found were electronic cigarettes filled with cannabis oil and additional bottles of cannabis oil, further indicating the scale of the operation.
Police revealed that the cannabis was concealed in everyday food containers, including bread tins, instant noodle cups, ready-to-eat food containers, and supplement cans. These items were prepared for shipment to customers through parcel deliveries, showing the sophisticated methods employed to disguise the illegal products.
The operation was prompted by a tip-off regarding the illegal sale and distribution of cannabis flowers without proper permits. Investigators discovered that the house was being used as a storage and packaging site for the illicit goods. The suspects reportedly claimed that the cannabis originated from a licensed factory, and that the packaging was part of a legal business. However, the house lacked the required business operating permits, and the presence of cannabis oil led to violations under the Narcotic Act Category 5 and the Controlled Herbs Act.
Among those arrested, 28-year-old Chompoo, the woman who rented the house, admitted to storing the cannabis flowers, although she claimed to have been unaware of the illegal nature of the operation. She stated she had previously run a legal cannabis cultivation business, and that the idea to package the cannabis in bread tins came from a Vietnamese friend who had left them at the house. Authorities remain skeptical of her claims and have pledged to continue investigating the case further.
The authorities are also examining whether this operation is linked to an international drug trafficking network and are tracking financial transactions related to the sale of the cannabis. The discovery of systematic packaging equipment and branding labels inside the house further suggests a well-organized operation.
The raid underscores the ongoing efforts of Thai authorities to crack down on illegal drug trafficking and illegal cannabis operations, which continue to pose significant legal and social challenges. As investigations continue, more arrests and further revelations are expected in the case.
