The arrest followed an investigation that found the women had allegedly sold drugs to local young people. The two women reportedly confessed to having been convicted for drug crimes before, adding that after they were released they resumed their criminal activities.

They reportedly said they had been supplied by a Chon Buri-based dealer identified only as a woman named “Nok” whom they knew from prison.

Officials planned to send the pet monkeys to an animal rehabilitation centre before returning them to the wild while the same-sex couple were accused of possessing narcotics with the intent to sell.