E-Cigarette Pod Scandal Rocks Bangkok

Strategic Insights -

Police cracked down on a major e-cigarette pod racket in the Ram Inthra area of Bangkok, arresting a man and seizing over 500 illicit pods worth approximately 700,000 baht. The investigation, led by Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom and Police Major General Pallop Aromla, uncovered a sophisticated online operation selling modified pods containing anaesthetic substances. The police sting operation, arranged through social media platforms Line and Twitter, revealed the shocking scale of the illicit trade.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Metropolitan Police Division 3 apprehended a man, Kanachai, for allegedly selling modified e-cigarette pods containing anaesthetic substances.
  • Over 500 items, worth approximately 700,000 baht, were seized during the raid.
  • The investigation revealed advertisements for modified e-cigarette pods on Twitter, which led to a sting operation.
  • Police discovered that the e-cigarette pods were stored on the 15th floor of a condominium in the Ram Inthra area.
  • A search warrant was issued by the Min Buri Criminal Court, and over 270 e-cigarette pods, 250 millilitres of e-cigarette liquid mixed with etomidate, and 70 empty pods were uncovered.
  • Kanachai was arrested along with the confiscated items.
  • The Ministry of Public Health recently classified etomidate as a type 2 controlled substance on June 12.
  • In a related case, a man and a woman were arrested in Bangkok's Bang Kapi district for allegedly selling e-cigarettes, with police seizing over 6,500 disposable devices.

Statistics:

  • Over 500 illicit e-cigarette pods were seized in the Ram Inthra area raid.
  • The confiscated items were valued at approximately 700,000 baht.
  • The Ministry of Public Health classified etomidate as a type 2 controlled substance, effective June 12.
  • Police seized over 6,500 disposable e-cigarettes in a separate raid in Bangkok's Bang Kapi district.

Sources:

  • KhaoSod
  • Matichon