Police vowed on Thursday to trace and take legal actions against over 3,900 members of a closed Facebook group that encourages members to grow so-called “organic marijuana”.
Pol Maj-General Panumart Boonyalak, commander of the Patrol and Special Operation Division (191), made the threat during a press conference held at 8.30pm to announce the arrest of three suspects.
Panumart identified the three arrested earlier this week as Nattapong Sawetwiharnree, 37, Panuwat Thianprapas, 37, and Resnarin Chutipichian, 30. Police also seized 1.61 kilograms of dried marijuana, 40 cubic centimetres of hashish, and 21 marijuana plants.
Panumart said the case began when officers learned that home-grown marijuana, which sellers called “organic marijuana”, was being distributed in Bangkok, especially in the area under the jurisdiction of the Chokechai police station.
Police checked the group and traced two more sellers, Panuwat and Resnarin, and arrested them.
The suspects said they ordered marijuana seeds from England at the price of Bt500 to Bt600 per seed and grew them for more seeds and to sell plants, dried marijuana and hashish.
Police have now acquired the names of the 3,900 group members and will investigate whether they have bought marijuana plants to grow at home, added Pol Colonel Somboon Thiankhao, an officer at the division.
The Nation
