Police seized 1,268 kilogrammes of compressed marijuana and arrested one suspected drug dealer following separate searches in Songkhla and Satun on Friday.
Ruslam Hayeenawae, 31, was arrested at a house in tambon Ban Na of Chana district in Songkhla. Police seized 589 kilogrammes of compressed marijuana, a pickup truck, a Toyota Avanza and two mobile phones at the site.
At a rented house in Satun, officers seized another 679kg of compressed marijuana, a car and a motorcycle.
Pol Lt Gen Ronnasil Phusara, acting chief of Provincial Police Region 9, said officers were expanding their investigation as they believe the drug ring involved several major dealers in the southern provinces.
The police will soon seek arrest warrants for more suspects. They believe the compressed marijuana originated in Laos and had been transported to be stored in Chana district before being sent to Malaysia.