In a wave of dramatic police moves reminiscent of a high-octane crime thriller set against the vibrant backdrop of Bangkok, the cops spun a web around a suspect they say was pushing illicit merchandise with an anesthetic twist. A man was apprehended at a chic condominium in Ram Inthra—it’s a neighborhood buzzing with energy—where he allegedly sold e-cigarette pods, hacked to contain more than just nicotine. But these weren’t your average vape gadgets; they were allegedly infused with etomidate, a deadly serious anesthetic.
With over 500 items scooped up, the seizure was not just about smoking out contraband. It represented a significant slice of the pie, valued around 700,000 Thai baht, or for those counting in greenbacks, that’s a spicy $21,455. Leading the charge, the indomitable Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom and his merry band of officers—including Deputy Commissioner Major General Pallop Aromla—pulled no punches in ordering a thorough investigation that led to this clandestine e-cig pod operation being uprooted.
The young sleuths followed a cyber breadcrumb trail scattered across Twitter, zeroing in on telltale adverts for something dubbed the “MonkeyKing Pot K Pot Drunk Express Delivery”. Whoever named it must have had a wild imagination! But, the sting wasn’t as simple as just a walk in the park. Aided by virtual whispers over Line—a popular chat service—the police orchestrated a sting operation that could rival Hollywood’s best.
The operation unveiled a stash residing on the 15th floor of the condo. Armed with a search warrant from the Min Buri Criminal Court, officers entered the scene with intent. The setting for this drama? A residence owned by Kanachai, whose surname remains under wraps in this unfolding saga. Their mission uncovered over 270 potentially toxic e-cig pods, along with a mysterious 250-milliliter bottle of e-liquid mixed with etomidate, plus over 70 forlornly empty pods ready for filling.
What makes this a darker tale is etomidate’s inclusion, recently stamped as a type 2 controlled substance by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health on June 12. Kanachai insisted that etomidate finds its noble use as an anesthetic for the elderly in the medical realm. A touch of legitimacy in an otherwise shadowy trade? Unlikely, say the authorities.
Meanwhile, in other parts of Bangkok’s dynamic stage, another clandestine operation was toppled within the city’s vibrant Bang Kapi district. On May 26, the Special Tools and News Analysis Division raided a separate condo, bagging two unsuspecting suspects, Anan and Phankwan, who were allegedly dealing in disposable e-cigarettes. Six thousand five hundred slick devices were seized—each a ticket to trouble.
This wave of arrests serves as a reminder that the e-cigarette market isn’t just blowing harmless smoke. As market demand intersects with tempting profit margins, the miscreants find ever-creative ways to peddle danger, clouded by vivid marketing and covert transactions.
While Bangkok buzzes on amidst these covert antics, remember to stay attuned to your surroundings—because whether you’re strolling the city streets or sipping a late-night cocktail in one of its gleaming high-rises, there’s always another story echoing in the corners of this vibrant cityscape. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the next unwitting audience to Bangkok’s never-ending dance of intrigue and enforcement.
I can’t believe people are actually putting etomidate in vape pods! That’s so dangerous and irresponsible.
It’s not surprising. People will do anything to make a quick buck, never mind the risks to users.
Absolutely, but I feel like authorities should’ve cracked down on stuff like this sooner. It’s alarming how far things have gone.
Sadly, enforcement often lags behind innovation in illicit markets. It’s a vicious cycle.
The name ‘MonkeyKing Pot K Pot Drunk Express Delivery’ is just ridiculous! Who in their right mind would trust a product with such a name?
Sounds like something out of an action movie! But seriously, why was etomidate even available like that?
Etomidate is a medical anesthetic for safe use only by professionals. The real question is how it ended up in that guy’s possession.
Right! There needs to be better regulation and tracking of these substances.
It’s scary to think what kind of unidentified crap people might be vaping. Makes quitting look more appealing.
Maybe this case will teach people to be more cautious about what they buy online. Just because it’s marketed well doesn’t mean it’s safe.
A lot of young people think vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes. Stories like these show it’s not that simple.
Amidst all this chaos, how can we be sure we know what we’re consuming? This is why I stick to organic.
Sounds like the police did a good job, but it makes you wonder how many operations like this are still out there.
Probably too many to count at this point. Bangkok’s a hub of shady deals.
It’s a double-edged sword. Busts like these make headlines, but do they deter offenders?
And that’s why I stick to my cigars! Never had them secretly packed with anesthetics.
People should really think twice before they inhale vapors of unknown origin.
This is what happens when demand for e-cigs spirals out of control. Supply rapidly tries to meet it by any means.
I hope the authorities continue this momentum! The market needs a clean-up.
True, but let’s hope they don’t burn out too soon on these efforts.
Agreed, sustained effort is crucial, or this problem will just keep resurfacing.
If only more people understood the risks involved. Education is key here.
That ‘spicy’ $21,455 in vape pods makes me wonder about the profit margins involved in illegal trades.
High risk, high reward—until the cops get you.
I hope the users who bought these illicit pods don’t experience any health issues… or worse.
I’m skeptical about this case. Is the media overhyping e-cig risks again?