Krabi police seize drugs, cache of weapons

2026-03-20 - 08:40

KRABI — 20 March 2026, Police in Krabi have arrested members of a drug trafficking network and seized a large cache of firearms, including military-style weapons, during a province-wide crackdown, officials said on Friday. The arrests were part of “Operation Eagle 154: Protect Krabi”, conducted between 1 and 20 March to combat drug-related crime and improve public safety. Authorities displayed the seized items at a press conference led by Krabi governor Angkoon Silathevakul and Police Major General Sukkasem Nakornwilai, chief of Krabi provincial police. Among the weapons confiscated were 17 firearms, including a modified M16 rifle fitted with a suppressor and shell-catching net, a submachine gun, shotguns and handguns. More than 200 rounds of ammunition were also recovered. Police also seized 26,127 methamphetamine tablets and 29.84 kilograms of cannabis extract. Additional assets included six cars, 10 motorcycles, gold jewellery and cash, bringing the total value of confiscated items to more than 11 million baht (about $310,000). In total, authorities arrested 161 suspected drug traffickers, 39 drug users and four individuals wanted on outstanding warrants. As part of the operation, officers on 13 March raided a business in Sai Thai subdistrict suspected of illegally producing and distributing cannabis extracts. The premises, operated by Cannazon Co., had been converted into a cultivation and processing facility, with multiple cannabis strains and a laboratory capable of producing extracts such as kief, hash and moonrock. A 31-year-old Israeli national who identified himself as the owner was arrested and charged under Thailand’s narcotics laws. Authorities also seized assets linked to the operation, including the building, equipment and bank accounts, valued at more than 3 million baht. Officials said this was the second raid on the same premises after an earlier operation in January resulted in charges related to the use of Thai nominees and a 60-day suspension of its cannabis sales licence. Investigators allege the suspect resumed operations after being released on bail, selling cannabis extracts locally and online for 250 to 500 baht per gram. In a separate case, police in Ao Luek district raided a rental house following a tip-off and arrested suspects with 1,909 methamphetamine pills, customer records and several firearms. One suspect admitted ordering the drugs via the Line messaging app for resale. Authorities said further investigations are under way to trace financial transactions and expand the crackdown on related networks, including asset seizures under narcotics laws.