Phuket –
Phuket police arrested a 20-year-old male Australian tourist suspected of stealing cannabis from a local dispensary, following a social media post that triggered widespread attention.
This week, a cannabis shop near Panwa Beach experienced an unusual theft when a group of foreign customers visited the store. While browsing, one of them discreetly stole a quantity of cannabis while an employee was weighing the product for another customer. Security footage revealed that the group worked together to obscure the theft, with one member blocking the employee’s view while another engaged in distraction.
The shop owner took to social media on May 28, posting surveillance footage and offering a 5,000 THB reward for any information leading to the suspect’s apprehension. In the post, they detailed how the group had just arrived in Phuket and were staying in the Ao Yon area. The case quickly gained traction online, leading to police involvement.
The Wichit Police told the Phuket Express that the store owner formally filed a complaint on May 29th, prompting law enforcement to track down the suspects.
Through investigative efforts, officers identified the group as Australian tourists staying in the Patong area. That evening, Wichit police apprehended Mr. Haddara, 20, who had entered Thailand on May 26. When confronted with the security footage, he admitted to the theft and was taken into custody for further legal proceedings.
The Wichit Police noted that prompt action was taken after concerned citizens shared the footage online. “Once we received evidence from the shop owner, our team worked quickly to locate and arrest the suspect,” he stated.
