SURAT THANI: Immigration police on Monday arrested a British man on Koh Samui island and charged him with illegal possession and use of marijuana.
Pol Col Suparerk Phankosol, the provincial immigration police chief, said Paul Mathew Kennedy, 32, was arrested on Monday at his home, house 76/99 in Moo 5 village of tambon Bo Phut.
He said immigration police launched an investigation after informants alleged Mr Kennedy was involved in marijuana-related activities.
They learned from social media that Mr Kenedy had allegedly run a business selling products for growing marijuana in the United Kingdom.
He said Mr Kenedy had a valid passport and a visa to stay in Thailand until Sept 8, 2022.
A search of his shoulder bag found a small amount of ground, dried marijuana and a grinder.
In a room on the second floor they found an an amount of marijuana in the drawer of a TV table, and more in a refrigerator.
Mr Kennedy allegedly admitted possession and use of the marijuana and said he bought it for 60,000 baht from a Thai woman in front of Wat Plai Laem in tambon Bo Phut.
A urine test confirmed he had used marijuana, Pol Col Suparerk said.
Mr Kenedy was charged with illegal possession and use of marijuana and handed over to local police.
