Unauthorized Cannabis Warehouse Raided in Bangkok, 1,685 Plants Seized

In a significant operation in Bangkok's Bang Khun Thian district, authorities have dismantled an illegal cannabis cultivation site following complaints from local residents about a strong odor emanating from the area. The raid, conducted by the police and the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, resulted in the seizure of 1,685 cannabis plants and the arrest of three Vietnamese nationals

The operation took place on December 16, 2023, when police, acting on a search warrant from the Thonburi Court, entered a warehouse in Soi Bang Kradee. The suspects, identified as Nguyen Duc Anh, Do Van Bay, and Dang Sy Tai, were found tending to the cannabis plants, which collectively weighed 168.5 kilograms. The estimated street value of the seized cannabis is approximately 1,685,000 baht

According to reports from Thairath, the suspects admitted to cultivating the cannabis without the necessary permits. They had established a company purportedly for cannabis-related business but failed to obtain the legal authorization required for such activities. This admission led to their arrest on charges of violating the Thai Traditional Medical Wisdom Protection and Promotion Act of 1999, specifically for unauthorized research, export, or sale of controlled herbs

The authorities have underscored the importance of adhering to legal guidelines in the cultivation and distribution of cannabis, a plant that remains tightly regulated in Thailand. The arrested individuals and the confiscated plants have been handed over to the Samae Dam police station for further legal proceedings. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in regulating the burgeoning cannabis industry in Thailand, where legal frameworks are still evolving