Police Crack Down on Illegal Potassium Gold Cyanide Trade

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Picture of the seized chemicals.

 

In a decisive move to prevent the recurrence of a tragic incident involving the misuse of hazardous chemicals, the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) raided an illegal distribution point for Potassium Gold Cyanide, a highly dangerous substance often used in jewellery manufacturing and medical fields. 

 

The raid, led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Puttidet Boonkraphue, Commander of the ECD, and ordered by Pol. Col. Chatchawan Chuchaicharoen, Chief of Subdivision 2, resulted in the arrest of Prasert Suwansarikasem, 33. Prasert was charged with “concealing or selling goods known to have been illegally imported into the Kingdom without customs clearance.” Authorities seized 100 grams of Potassium Gold Cyanide and 192 other chemical items used for electroplating jewelry during the operation at a commercial building on Rama III Road in Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok.

 

 

This operation follows the high-profile death of Udomsak Thongmuan, also known as "Dr. Keng," a 50-year-old public health academic at Bang Sakaeo Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital. Dr. Keng tragically passed away after ingesting Potassium Gold Cyanide, which sparked public concern and highlighted the potential for such substances to be used with malicious intent or in copycat scenarios. 

 

In response to these concerns, the ECD intensified its efforts to track down and eliminate illegal imports of this chemical. The investigation revealed that some operators were smuggling Potassium Gold Cyanide into the country and selling it to jewelry plating shops without proper authorization. Prasert was identified as the caretaker of a commercial building where the illegal substances were stored. A subsequent search, authorized by the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court, uncovered two bottles of Potassium Gold Cyanide, each containing 100 grams. However, Prasert could only provide import documentation for one of the bottles.

 

The bottle without proper import documentation was seized as evidence, and Prasert was taken into custody for further questioning. During the investigation, Prasert confessed that a portion of the Potassium Gold Cyanide had indeed been smuggled into the country illegally with the intent to resell it to gold plating or jewelry shops. He is now in the custody of the ECD’s Subdivision 2 investigators, facing legal action.

 

The ECD’s crackdown is a clear message that the authorities are committed to preventing the illegal trade and misuse of hazardous chemicals, ensuring that public safety is upheld.

 

-- 2024-09-01

 

 

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[lordgrinz]

These small 100 gram bottles could come in via the porous borders by the thousands every day and nobody would be the wiser. I don't see how you are going to stop this without seriously locking down the borders first.