Ratchaburi Provincial Police have launched a probe into five senior officers at Ban Pong police station following a raid on two unlicensed pubs where 77 customers tested positive for drugs early on Saturday.
Police on Saturday said the raid was carried out by a special unit of the Department of Provincial Administration (DPA) at two pubs -- Highlight Banpong and Arena Banpong -- about 1.30am.
Both pubs are owned by Thanawat Wijitcharasakul, 30, who was arrested.
The DPA unit conducted the raid after a tip-off that the pubs allowed customers under 20 years old to enter the premises, stayed open until dawn and had a connection with illicit drugs.
During the raid, officers found a handful of illicit drugs -- mostly ketamine -- and two guns.
There were 400 customers in total, of whom 77 -- 31 men and 46 women -- tested positive for drug use.
In addition, four pub customers were identified as being underage, police said.
Currently, the pub owner faces four charges, including running the pubs without a licence, selling alcoholic drinks beyond the legal time limit at midnight, selling alcoholic beverages to customers under 20 years old and allowing illicit drugs and weapons on the premises.
Police said a panel, chaired by the deputy provincial police chief, was set up to investigate five senior Ban Pong officers.
