Russian man’s Phuket cannabis empire goes up in smoke
Police in Phuket yesterday arrested a Russian man for illegally distributing dried cannabis flowers and vapes, seizing illegal items worth nearly 1 million baht from his accommodation.
Local police officers, in collaboration with administrative officials, launched a crackdown on the illegal sale and use of cannabis and e-cigarettes in Phuket between 21 and 30 March. The arrest of the 24 year old Russian national, Artem Lotts, was one of the successes of the operation yesterday, March 26.
The suspect was apprehended at his residence on Chaofah Road in the Wichit sub-district, Mueang district, Phuket.
A search of his home uncovered a significant quantity of illegal items, including dried cannabis flowers, vapes, other cannabis-based products, and cannabis consumption paraphernalia. The total value of the seized goods was estimated at nearly 1 million baht.
Lotts was taken to Wichit Police Station and charged with three offences:
- Section 46 of the Thai Traditional Medical Knowledge Protection and Promotion Act: Selling or processing a controlled herb (cannabis) without permission. The penalty may include imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.
- Section 148 of the Narcotics Act: Importing, exporting, distributing, or possessing a Category 5 narcotic (cannabis flowers) without a permit. The penalty includes imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to 500,000 baht.
- Section 246 of the Customs Act: Hiding, purchasing, or possessing e-cigarettes. The penalty may include imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to 500,000 baht, or both.
A photograph of Lotts shared in news reports showed him wearing an electronic monitoring (EM) bracelet on his ankle, though details of any prior criminal activity were not disclosed in the police report.
In a related crackdown in Phuket, police arrested a British man found in possession of 165 kilogrammes of dried cannabis flowers. The suspect was apprehended while attempting to transport 10 suitcases filled with illegal items from Phuket to Bangkok to evade capture.
The British national was reportedly a key member of a cannabis smuggling operation. Authorities are continuing their investigation to apprehend other individuals linked to the network, most of whom are believed to be foreign nationals.
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