Immigration police seize five tonnes of cannabis in a Bangkok house

Immigration police raided a three-storey detached house in Soi Khu Bon 27, Soi 14, in Tha Raeng, Bang Khen district, at 1pm on 19 October 2026, after residents complained about a strong cannabis smell coming from the property.^[1] Officers of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine joined the operation, which followed about two months of evidence gathering.^[1] Inside, they found more than five tonnes of cannabis flowers packed in plastic and black bags across all three floors, along with a ventilation system installed to carry the smell outside.^[1][2]

Five foreign nationals were found sorting the flowers for packing and delivery: one Vietnamese national and four Myanmar nationals.^[1][2] The Myanmar workers said they were paid 200 to 300 baht a day, while investigators believe the Vietnamese detainee supervised the operation, which they said ran in a company-style system.^[1][2] A Thai national had signed the rental agreement before the foreigners moved in, and police said the house, covering about 100 square wah, had been used as a sorting and packing point for more than a year.^[1]

The operators held a cannabis licence issued in Nong Bua Lamphu province, which did not cover activities in Bangkok; selling or processing cannabis flowers needs a permit for the operating location.^[1][2] Breaking the rule carries up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.^[1][2] The cannabis will be laboratory-tested to establish whether it was grown in Thailand or imported, while police investigate the source, the intended customers and everyone connected with the operation.^[1][2]