Samut prakan: The Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) raided a Chinese-owned factory illegally importing chemicals to produce ethomedate, seizing over 11.9 tons of chemicals in Samut Prakan.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Col. Suriya Singhakamol, Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), tasked Mr. Kanisorn Phapirannon, Director of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, and officers from the Institute of Narcotics Analysis and Testing, ONCB, to carry out the operation. The factory, located in Bang Bua District, was linked to a Chinese network illegally producing ethomidate. The raid resulted in the arrest of Mr. Huang, a Chinese national, and the confiscation of 42 liters of liquid ethomidate, 1 kg of granular ethomidate, 140 bottles of chemical precursors, and other substances.
The action was part of an ongoing investigation into a network producing ethomidate, used in e-cigarettes. In early 2026, the NSB identified a Chinese network active in central Thailand, acquiring large quantities of chemicals and renting a factory in Samut Prakan. Information exchange with the Ministry of Public Security and the National Narcotics Control Board of China (NNCC) revealed the network's history in the illegal ethomidate trade across Thailand, China, and Vietnam. This collaboration led to a search warrant in early April.
Chinese authorities arrested Mr. Liang, another group member, in China. This led to the raid of an ethomidate production plant in China, resulting in 38 arrests and a significant seizure of ethomidate. Vietnamese officials were also involved, leading to the arrest of another suspect and the seizure of 1.8 kg of ethomidate. The joint operation dismantled the transnational network, shut down three factories, and seized substantial quantities of ethomidate and chemicals.
In Thailand, e-cigarettes containing ethomidate, known as "zombie cigarettes," are sold for 1,800-2,000 baht in Bangkok. The seizure prevented the production of 504,000 zombie cigarettes, valued at approximately 900 million baht.
Under the Narcotics Act, Section 149 (2), penalties for production, import, export, sale, or possession of ethomidate, a Category 2 psychoactive substance, include imprisonment of up to 7 years and fines up to 700,000 baht. For commercial activities, penalties range from 1 to 15 years imprisonment and fines from 100,000 to 1,500,000 baht. Unauthorized transit carries penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment and fines up to 500,000 baht.
Pol. Col. Suriya Singhakamol urged business owners and warehouse operators to screen tenants carefully to avoid legal repercussions. He also requested community cooperation to report suspicious activities via the 24-hour hotline 1386, dedicated to drug-related issues.