
NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: A young man whose online marijuana sales blossomed during the outbreak of Covid-19 has been arrested in Tha Sala district of this southern province.
Human trafficking suppression police on Thursday arrested Nanthapong Phuetsawanit, 24, at a house in tambon Sra Kaeo of Tha Sala district and seized 41 marijuana plants, 1.5 kg of dried marijuana, quantities of cannabis oil and marijuana seeds, a shotgun with bullets, stickers bearing the words “TM Green Smile’’ and numerous packing boxes.
The raid followed information that Mr Nanthapong had posted messages offering to sell dried marijuana and cannabis oil on “Roiyim Seekhieo’’ (green smile) Facebook page.
The arresting officers from Anti-Trafficking in Humans Division sub-division 5 were armed with a court warrant to search the house.
Mr Nanthapong admitted he had purchased marijuana seeds of five species to cultivate in pots at the house. The seeds were purchased at 2,000-3,000 baht per kilo depending on the species.
He had posted marijuana for sale on Facebook and customers were asked to transfer money into a bank account that he paid someone else to open.
Before sending the products to his customers, he would put a “TM Green Smile'’ sticker on each parcel, the suspect said. He sent parcels to customers via Kerry delivery service.
Officers recovered a book detailing online purchases and evidence of money transfers using e-banking. Mr Nanthapong told police that many customers across the country had purchased his products during the spread of Covid-19.
In fact, police said, customers transferred about 16,000 baht to the bank account used by the suspect while the raid was underway.
The suspect has been charged with illegally producing marijuana for sale and illegal possession of a weapon. He was handed over to Tha Sala police station.