PATTAYA, THAILAND – Thai police dismantled an illegal e‑cigarette factory in a raid that uncovered a large stash of suspected anesthetic mixed into vape liquids.
Raid on rented villa in Bang Lamung
Officers from the economic crime division stormed a rented house in Bang Lamung district on Saturday, acting on suspicions that a large-scale illegal vape trade was being coordinated from the property. The only person present, Zhang (36) from China, was arrested at the scene. Investigators found a factory-like setup with thousands of finished and empty vape pods, devices and about 85 gallons (roughly 320 liters) of liquid.
Seizure valued at over 10 million baht
Police estimated the street value of the seized goods at more than 10 million baht (about 318,000 US dollars / 290,000 euros). The workshop was equipped with vacuum sealers, filling machines, digital scales and chemical solvents.
“The production was geared towards nationwide distribution,”
said one investigator. The products had reportedly been sold online and via intermediaries to tourists and local residents.
3.8 kilograms of white powder sent to lab
The most alarming discovery was a white, crystalline powder weighing 3.8 kilograms, which was immediately sent to the forensic laboratory. Police suspected it to be Etomidate, a powerful anesthetic.
“Mixing this into e‑cigarettes is life-threatening,”
said Police Lieutenant General Thatsapoomi Jaruprat, the commanding officer.
Severe health risks for unwitting users
The suspected substance was said to be capable of causing respiratory arrest, cardiac arrhythmias and severe psychological damage. Users would have no idea what cocktail they were inhaling. Authorities viewed the find as a new and worrying escalation in the illegal vape market, where the health of countless, often young consumers had been recklessly put at risk.
Suspect claims to be only a housekeeper
During questioning, the Chinese suspect said he was merely the “housekeeper” for an acquaintance and was paid 40,000 baht (around 1,270 US dollars) per month to supervise deliveries.
“I did not know that the products are illegal,”
he insisted. He stated that his employer had returned to China a week earlier, but police did not believe this account and began an intensive search for the alleged ringleader.
Part of Thailand’s wider crackdown on vapes
The raid formed part of a nationwide offensive against the smuggling and illegal sale of e‑cigarettes in Thailand. The import, sale and possession of such devices are strictly prohibited in the country. Despite the ban, the black market has continued to thrive, driven largely by tourist demand, and police classified this operation as one of the largest of its kind.
Charges filed and further drug counts possible
Zhang was charged with aiding customs fraud and operating an illegal business, offences that could bring heavy fines and imprisonment. The forensic analysis of the powder was described as decisive for the course of the case. If the suspicion of Etomidate was confirmed, additional serious drug charges would follow, while the hunt for the head of the syndicate was already in full swing.