Green gone wrong: Police raid illegal cannabis factory in Bangkok
Police raided a cannabis factory in a well-known market in the Don Mueang districk of Bangkok, arresting three foreign nationals overseeing operations.
Legal proceedings are underway for the building owner and employer. Yesterday, February 19 at 2pm, Police Colonel Sukrit Mankalasawat from Don Mueang Police Station directed efforts to investigate the site.
Armed with a search warrant from the Criminal Court dated February 18, officials inspected a four-storey commercial building in Soi Cherdwutthakat 9, Don Mueang district, Bangkok. This action followed complaints of foreign nationals residing in the building allegedly cultivating cannabis, causing a nuisance.
The building is located within a prominent cosmetics market in Don Mueang and features multiple attached units. When no one responded to their calls, officials entered from the back and apprehended two Vietnamese nationals and one Swedish national on the fourth floor.
Upon investigation, large suitcases filled with dried cannabis flowers were discovered on the first floor. The mezzanine housed stored bags of cannabis, while the second floor served as a packaging area with four vacuum sealers, two digital scales, and numerous bags of dried cannabis, some vacuum-packed.
The third and fourth floors were adapted for cannabis cultivation, equipped with irrigation systems and artificial sunlight, though no cannabis plants were found.
Cannabis factory
Later at 4pm, Senior Metropolitan Police officials, including Pol. Col. Sukrit, inspected the premises. According to Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Police Major General Nopasilp Poonsawat, the building was likely rented for storing and cultivating cannabis. The search, conducted under official warrants, revealed the illegal activities.
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine affirmed that cannabis is a controlled herb. Its sale, processing, export, or research requires authorisation under the Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Protection and Promotion Act of 1999.
Violators face up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 20,000 baht (US$594), or both. Permit holders must display their licenses prominently, refrain from selling to children and pregnant women, and avoid online advertising. Violations can lead to suspension or revocation of permits.
Police Major General Chotiwat Lueangwilai highlighted that cannabis-related businesses must obtain permits from various agencies, including administrative, health, and police. Engaging in cultivation or sale without permits constitutes a legal violation.
The Vietnamese caretaker confessed to being hired, along with a friend, to oversee the building and cannabis for a monthly salary of 15,000 baht (US$445), with duties involving packaging products for collection. Investigations are ongoing to determine if cannabis cultivation and processing were officially permitted, and the building owner and employer of the three people will be summoned for questioning, reported KhaoSod.
Initial checks revealed immigration law violations, with some people entering the country without permission or overstaying, and others working contrary to their permits. The suspects are being handed over to Don Mueang police for further legal action.
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