Myanmar worker arrested as police raid Kata cannabis shops

Immigration Police raided two cannabis retail shops in Kata Beach, Phuket, at about 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, seizing more than 40 items, including cannabis products, with an estimated value of more than 500,000 baht.

The operation followed a tip-off received by investigators from Immigration Division 6 that foreigners were working at cannabis shops without the required permits. It was conducted as part of a nationwide campaign targeting foreigners working illegally, transnational crime networks and businesses suspected of using Thai nominees to circumvent Thai law.

Officers found a Thai national and a Myanmar national at one of the premises. Police said the Myanmar man was selling cannabis to customers in front of the shop, serving customers inside and managing the shop operations.

He was arrested on three charges: working without a permit, working outside the conditions of his permitted employment and selling food without proper labelling. The suspects were handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.

The seized items were handed over for forensic examination and will be used as evidence in further legal proceedings. Police said the investigation would be expanded to identify the actual operators behind the businesses, including possible foreign backers and Thai nominees.

Authorities are also coordinating with relevant agencies to verify whether the cannabis shops were operating with the required licences. Police have not released the identities of those arrested or the names of the shops.