Thai Police Officers Among Suspects in Alleged Cannabis Raid Theft
Thai Police Officers Among Suspects in Alleged Cannabis Raid Theft
BANGKOK, Feb 17, 2026 — Thai authorities have issued arrest warrants for six men, including serving police officers, after a licensed cannabis vendor alleged that a group posing as officials seized cash and plants from his home during a raid, police said, in a case unfolding amid tighter national controls on the cannabis trade.
The complaint was filed on Feb. 12 by a 22-year-old vendor in Pathum Thani province who said about 10 men entered his residence claiming he was operating without authorization. He alleged the group took 800,000 baht ($22,000) in cash and cannabis plants valued at more than 2.2 million baht ($60,000).
Police said an internal inquiry confirmed that some of the suspects are active officers, leading to six arrest warrants. Four additional individuals remain under investigation.
Three suspects — including a police captain and a sub-lieutenant — have surrendered and deny wrongdoing, police said. The suspects remain in custody for questioning. No court has ruled on the allegations.
The vendor maintains his business was legally permitted and described the operation as a wrongful raid. He also alleged that CCTV cameras inside the property were damaged. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether any property was formally logged as seized evidence.
Local broadcaster Channel 7 reported that one officer named in the case had previously been removed from a post pending investigation into a separate extortion allegation. Police have not stated whether that matter is connected to the current case.
The incident comes as Thailand tightens compliance requirements in its cannabis sector following earlier liberalization, with regulators moving to restrict use largely to medical purposes.
