Two Indian tourists were arrested for allegedy trying to smuggle 22 kilos of cannabis through an airport in Thailand.

Kamarudheen and Shibin, both 34, reportedly tried to slip the controlled herbs through Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport on March 10. They were undergoing X-ray scans at the departure terminal when officers detected 'suspicious' packs in their luggage.

Staff opened their suitcases and discovered the contraband disguised as colourful bags of sweets and junk food. The bags were vacuum sealed to keep the telltale smell of cannabis from escaping.

Footage shows the suspects hunched over on a sofa as inspectors went through their cannabis haul.

The Indian passengers were handed over to the Don Mueang Police Station to face charges under the Customs Act.

Police Colonel Phuwanon Aunpothi, superintendent of the Don Mueang Police Station, said: 'A search of the two suitcases brought by Mr. Kamarudheen, aged 34, an Indian national, and Mr. Shibin, aged 34, found cannabis flowers packed in tightly sealed plastic bags to keep the smell out. The bags were concealed as various brands of snacks, with a total weight of approximately 22.4 kilogrammes (around 50 lbs).

'They failed to provide the necessary customs permits and licenses to export cannabis according to the Ministry of Public Health's announcement on controlled herbs (cannabis) and the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Act. Therefore, they were detained for questioning.'

Police have been tightening security at Thai airports amid a spate of cannabis smuggling attempts in recent weeks. With marijuana legal - and widely available - many addicts have attempted to stock up on the product before returning to their homelands.

On March 9, Daniel James Hallett, 38, from Hull, was detained by customs officials as he allegedly attempted to board a flight to London from the Krabi International Airport in the south of the country.

On March 4, British tourist Luziela Aaliyah Carvalho, 19, was reportedly caught with 35kg (80lbs) of marijuana while trying to board a plane at the Chiang Mai International Airport. She was scheduled to fly to Hong Kong before taking a second flight to London on Cathay Pacific flight CX 251 before officers allegedly detected the contraband in her luggage.

Her arrest came after three Malaysian nationals were blocked from trafficking marijuana through the same airport in the same week.

Thai authorities said they were discussing tighter security measures to intercept cannabis smugglers, who can achieve large profits from the arbitrage with their homelands.

Cannabis with under 0.2 per cent of THC was decriminalised in Thailand in June 2022, as a potential cash crop for impoverished farmers and ministers connected to the pharmaceutical industry. Cannabis smoking is allowed for personal use in private areas but remains prohibited in public spaces.

However, bungling officials are now seeking to outlaw recreational cannabis, blaming poorly regulated use for allegedly fuelling drug abuse and a rise in the the number of cases of tourists over-indulging in the drug.

Tourist destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya have seen the negative consequences of legalising the drug, with tourists regularly arrested for misbehaving while under the influence of cannabis.