Phuket Authorities Arrest Five in Raids on Cannabis Shops
Authorities in Mueang Phuket arrested several people during raids on five cannabis shops and seized cannabis and related items valued at more than 2.9 million baht.
Authorities arrested several people and seized cannabis and related items valued at more than 2.9 million baht during inspections of five cannabis shops in Mueang Phuket District on July 17, according to the district administration office.
The operation involved officials from Mueang Phuket District, the Phuket provincial administration office, the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office, the Internal Security Operations Command in Phuket and the Investigation Division of the Phuket Provincial Police.
At The Chill Spot in Talat Nuea subdistrict, a 26-year-old Thai man was arrested with 56 items, including 1,112.8 grams of dried cannabis and 139 rolled cannabis cigarettes. He was charged with selling controlled herbal products—cannabis flowers—without permission. In a related case at the same shop, a 29-year-old Myanmar national was arrested for working in an occupation outside the scope of his legal permission.
At Exotic Weed Store, also in Talat Nuea, officials arrested a 26-year-old Thai man and seized 400.89 grams of dried cannabis, 23 rolled cannabis cigarettes, a digital scale and a bag containing a substance described as resembling mushrooms. He was charged with selling or processing controlled herbal products for commercial purposes without permission.
At Tree Hill in Talat Nuea, a 42-year-old Thai woman was arrested with 1,531.57 grams of dried cannabis and 49 rolled cannabis cigarettes. Authorities said she was charged with selling cannabis flowers without the licence required by law.
At Rock Reggae Bar in Talat Yai subdistrict, a 25-year-old Thai man was arrested with 155 items, including 3,110.3 grams—about 3.11 kilograms—of dried cannabis, as well as 426 pieces or packages of rolled cannabis and processed cannabis products. He was charged with holding a licence but failing to comply with activities or conditions attached to it.
Officials transferred the suspects and seized items to investigators in the relevant areas for further legal proceedings. The Mueang Phuket District administration said it would intensify inspections of licensed cannabis shops to ensure strict compliance with legal conditions.
