(ANN/THE NATION) – Thailand’s Customs officials have seized more than 3 tonnes of cannabis buds with a street value of about THB140 million in a series of operations between February and March.
These seizures highlight the government’s continuous attempts to restrict illegal cannabis exports, especially to countries where the substance remains prohibited.
The seizures, amounting to 3.1 tonnes, have also prompted closer international cooperation to address the smuggling, particularly to the United Kingdom. Since February 16, the Thai Customs Department has been working closely with the UK’s Home Office Internal Operations to address the issue.
This partnership also includes awareness campaigns aimed at informing passengers about the legal consequences of smuggling cannabis into the UK, where penalties can be severe.
Pantong Loykulnant, the Customs Department spokesperson, said that while cannabis has been declassified as a narcotic in Thailand, cannabis buds remain a controlled substance.
Export, research, sale, or commercial processing of these buds requires a licence under the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Act and the Public Health Ministry’s 2022 regulations.
Of the 3.1 tonnes of cannabis buds seized, 2.43 tonnes were found concealed in passenger luggage at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, and Chiang Mai airports, in quantities ranging from 3 to 45 kilograms per instance. Another 677.79 kilograms were discovered hidden within export goods at Suvarnabhumi Airport’s customs inspection office.
Since October 1, the Customs Department has also seized 7.96 tonnes of cannabis-related substances, including cannabis plants, oil, resin and seeds.
These offences violate the Customs Act, the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Act and the Public Health Ministry’s regulations covering smuggling, evasion of export restrictions and false declarations.
