Crime
Canadian and Briton Arrested in Bangkok for Producing, Exporting Cannabis Oil
BANGKOK – Thailand’s Narcotics Suppression Bureau in Bangkok has announced the arrest of a Canadian, Briton and two Thai Nationals for producing large quantities of cannabis oil in a Bangkok Warehouse.
British National Joseph Toole, 67 and Canadian David Kulik, 64 were arrested after police in Bangkok raided warehouses on Monday and seized 70.22 kilograms of cannabis oil in 57 bottles, 6.6kg of cannabis paste and chemicals.
67-year-old UK national Joseph Toole, 65-year-old Canadian Kulik David, Suriyan Suwanchairob, 34, and Supakit Kaeoma, 54.
The Thai suspects were Suriyan Suwanchairob, 34, and Supakit Kaeoma, 54, police said the Mr. Kaeoma, was allegedly responsible for guarding drugs and equipment while, Mr Supakit ran a shipping firm which allegedly handled the smuggling side of the operation.
Police reported that the men arranged for the cannabis to be smuggled to the warehouse from drug gangs in Laos. The cannabis oil was then exported to Belgium and other European countries.
Deputy police chief Chalermkat Sriworakan said that Kulik helped finance the operation, while Toole, a former doctor, masterminded the production of the oil.
Pol Gen Chalermkiat said the gang has allegedly been producing the oil in Bang Phli for over a year, and to have smuggled five tonnes of cannabis oil to Belgium.
A Japanese national is believed to head the operation, police said.
