Authorities Raid Illegal Shop Selling Kratom, Cannabis, & E-Cigarettes in Sisaket

[Georgealbert]

 

 

 

Sisaket Governor Anupong Suksomnit assigned Deputy Governor Suriya Butchinda, along with Sukhit Luangsakulthai, District Chief of Sisaket, and Amorn Nambut, Acting District Chief of Sisaket City, to lead a joint operation targeting illegal activities in the area. The raid on November 22, at 13.30, was conducted in coordination with local law enforcement, public health officials, and the provincial anti-narcotics centre.

 

The operation was launched following complaints submitted by local residents through the Sisaket Provincial Damrongtham Center. Residents reported disturbances caused by a shop known as “Bang Top,” located within a dormitory complex in Phanta Yai Community, Sisaket City Municipality. The shop was accused of openly selling kratom-infused drinks, cannabis, and e-cigarettes to students and the public 24/7, causing significant disruption in the neighbourhood.

 

Upon arrival, authorities discovered three individuals operating the illegal shop:

 

• Thanaphat Meeboon, 20, from Khukhan District, Sisaket

• Theerapat Duanyai, 22, from Wang Hin District, Sisaket

• Dechawat Songmuang, 22, from Det Udom District, Ubon Ratchathani

 

The suspects were caught producing kratom-infused drinks and selling cannabis and e-cigarettes. A search of the premises revealed a large stash of contraband and equipment, including:

 

• 2,380 foreign-brand cigarettes

• 170 e-cigarette pods

• 1,719 bottles of cough syrup

• 6 kratom-boiling pots

• 26 bottles of kratom-infused drinks

• 10 kilograms of cannabis flower buds

• 4,224 empty bottles

• Business signage, weighing scales, and cash totaling 296,480 baht

 

Authorities seized all items as evidence.

 

The suspects were charged with multiple offenses, including:

 

1. Producing and selling food products (kratom) in violation of the Food Act of 1979.

2. Selling modern medicine without authorization under the Medicine Act of 1967.

3. Possession of untaxed goods (foreign cigarettes) under the Excise Tax Act of 2017.

4. Selling controlled herbs (cannabis) without permission under the Traditional Thai Medicine Wisdom Protection Act of 1999.

5. Violating regulations prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes and related products under Consumer Protection Committee Order 27/2567.

 

Notably, this shop had been raided three times in the past but continued its illegal activities, reopening in the same location with a larger operation. Despite repeated warnings, the operators showed blatant disregard for the law.

 

The three suspects, along with the confiscated items, were taken into custody and handed over to the Sisaket City Police for further legal proceedings.

 

Picture from the raid.

-- 2024-11-24