Thai police detain two Britons for allegedly trafficking drugs

Thai police arrested two Britons on Tuesday for alleged possession of marijuana in a popular resort town near the capital, police said.

Martin Ward, 39, and Paul Bangle, 42, were arrested with 10 kilograms of marijuana at Ward's home in Pattaya, 110 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, said police Lt. Col. Chaiwat Paensuwan.

He did not know their hometowns but said Ward has a Thai wife and has been living in Thailand for many years. Bangle is his business partner, Chaiwat told.

According to police the marijuana was wrapped in seaweed and was to be sold and delivered by mail to customers in North America and Australia.

The two men were arrested on charges of possession of marijuana for purposes of trafficking, for which they face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if convicted, the AP reports.