Police have krathom bust in the bag

KOH SIREH: Police staging a krathom raid on a house on Koh Sireh had a surprise on July 4 when a woman carrying a sack full of the contraband leaves accidentally walked in on the raid.

Pol Maj Chalermchai Hernsawat led the warrant-endorsed raid on the house of Jarern Musika, 56, about 3:30 pm after an investigation discovered that krathom was being kept there.

Officers arrested Jarern after finding 500 krathom leaves in the house.

However, while officers were assessing the fruits of their labor, Ratchada Kerdtrap, 36, walked in on the bust while carrying a sack stuffed full of the leaves.

The officers asked her what was in the sack, and she reluctantly replied that it was full of krathom.

After a lengthy count, police reported that the sack contained an additional 1,600 leaves.

The woman was also arrested, and she and Jarern were taken to Phuket City Police Station.

“Both were charged with possession of krathom for using and selling,” Maj Chalermchai said.