PHUKET, THAILAND – Police in Chalong conducted a raid on a cannabis shop, seizing products and detaining a caretaker over an expired sales license.
Raid near shopping mall in Chalong
The raid took place on 8 January 2026 in the Chalong subdistrict of Mueang Phuket district after authorities received complaints from residents about a cannabis store near a large shopping mall. The shop, operating under the name Candies By We Love Cannabis, was alleged to have sold processed cannabis goods such as brownies, gummy candies and chocolate without a valid permit. The Chalong Police Station coordinated a joint operation with the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office.
68 processed cannabis products seized
During the search, officers confiscated cannabis flowers, sales equipment and a total of 68 processed cannabis items, including brownies, jelly sweets and chocolate products. According to current rules, these processed products were classified as strictly regulated. A 23-year-old caretaker identified by authorities only as Abu Bakr was present in the shop at the time of the inspection.
Expired license and arrest of caretaker
Abu Bakr presented officers with a license for the sale and processing of cannabis flowers, but officials stated that this authorization had already expired and was therefore no longer valid. Police arrested the 23-year-old on the spot and informed him of the allegation that he had sold a controlled medicinal plant, specifically cannabis flowers, for commercial purposes without permission. The charge was based on the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Act B.E. 2542, a law aimed at protecting and promoting traditional Thai medicine, and the suspect was taken into custody for further legal action under existing regulations.
Authorities issue warning to cannabis retailers
Officials used the case to reiterate a warning to operators of cannabis shops in Phuket and other provinces. They stressed that all businesses must strictly comply with the rules governing the sale and processing of cannabis. Authorities particularly emphasized that cannabis must not be sold to children or young people.
“The case shows the continued monitoring of cannabis shops following tips from the public and concerns over unregulated sales.”
said officials, citing Matichon.
Ongoing inspections of licenses and sweets
Enforcement agencies announced that inspections would continue, focusing especially on locations where licenses had expired or where processed cannabis products were being sold without approval. Further measures were to be taken within the framework of the existing legislation. Police summarized the operation as involving the seizure of 68 processed cannabis products from a shop with an expired license, the arrest of a 23-year-old caretaker for unauthorized sale of a controlled medicinal plant, and a renewed warning to all cannabis traders to follow regulations closely and to avoid any sales to minors.