Two women arrested at Phuket airport with 32.1 kg of cannabis; probe expands to shop inspection
Authorities in Phuket said an investigation into the arrest of two women at the airport with 32. 1 kilograms of cannabis has expanded to a cannabis shop in Choeng Thale, where officials said a suspended licence, cannabis joints and infused snacks were found.
Customs officers at Phuket International Airport arrested two women on July 9, 2026, after they were found with a combined 32.1 kilograms of cannabis flower allegedly concealed in luggage for transport out of Thailand without customs clearance.
The arrests were made inside the international departures terminal at the airport in Mai Khao, Thalang district, Phuket. The operation was led by Phuket Airport Customs checkpoint chief Nucha Jeeradit, together with customs control director Thanomjit Bureerak, investigation and suppression chief Charoenporn Jaengwansuk, and officers from Sakhu Police Station.
At about 11 a.m., officers inspected a black PIERRE CARDIN rolling suitcase belonging to 18-year-old Filipino national Lewannah Chelsea Guzman. Inside, they found 14 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis flower with a total weight, including packaging, of 14.5 kilograms, according to the source.
Authorities said the suspect admitted the suitcase and the seized items were hers. Officers then informed her of charges of attempting to take goods out of the kingdom before they had passed customs procedures under the Customs Act B.E. 2560, as well as offences under the narcotics code and laws related to controlled herbs, including cannabis.
Later, at about 1 p.m., officers inspected a suspicious green SWISH NAVY suitcase belonging to Penpitcha Phutsiang, a Thai woman. They found 16 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis flower weighing 17.6 kilograms in total, including packaging, concealed inside.
The second suspect also admitted ownership of the suitcase and the seized items, authorities said. She was informed of similar charges.
Both suspects and all seized items were handed over to investigators at Sakhu Police Station for legal action.
On July 11, Deputy Interior Minister Polpheer Suwannachewee, Phuket Governor Chotinrin Kerdsom and related agencies inspected a cannabis shop in Choeng Thale, Thalang, as investigators expanded the case. Polpheer said the inspection followed the arrest the previous day of two women who allegedly tried to take about 30 kilograms of cannabis out of Phuket and led authorities to the shop.
He said officials found the shop's business licence had been suspended for non-compliance, but it was still operating and selling cannabis. Authorities also found ready-to-smoke cannabis joints and cannabis-infused snacks, which he said clearly violated food law and regulations.
Polpheer said officials requested records to show whether the shop had documented customers buying cannabis for medical treatment with medical certificates, but no such information was found. He said the shop would face further legal action and was likely to have its licence revoked.
Customs officials said the arrests were part of tightened measures to prevent the smuggling of cannabis flower out of Thailand through airports, with intensified baggage inspections continuing to block offences and enforce the law strictly.
