Police Arrest 3 in Bangkok Over Drug-Laced E-Cigarettes Linked to Chinese Syndicate

Picture courtesy of Matichon

Metropolitan Police officers have arrested three Thai nationals allegedly involved in selling e-cigarettes laced with narcotics, popularly known as “pot k”, following a tip-off from concerned citizens. The suspects reportedly admitted they had been taught by a Chinese individual how to mix drugs into e-cigarette liquids before distributing them online.

The operation, led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, along with senior narcotics and investigative officers, resulted in the arrest of Ms. Netnapa 37, Mr. Thanakorn 46 and Mr. Pratchaya 33. They were apprehended in separate locations across Bangkok’s Bueng Kum and Bang Khen districts on the night of 20 June.

Police seized 70 pods of RELX-brand e-liquid, 15 sheets of flavour-label stickers, and assorted equipment related to the refilling and sale of electronic cigarettes. The arrest was made after Ms. Netnapa was spotted acting suspiciously in Soi Prasert-Manukit 37. Officers found the contraband in a patterned plastic bag she was carrying.

A preliminary field test using the Marquis Reagent yielded a brown result, indicating a possible presence of methamphetamine in the liquid. Further testing in a laboratory is pending to confirm the substance.

Further investigation led officers to a residence in the Tharaeng subdistrict, where Mr. Thanakorn and Mr. Pratchaya were found. Additional e-cigarette liquid and paraphernalia were confiscated. All three suspects admitted the materials were theirs and claimed to have received guidance from a Chinese national who instructed them in mixing illicit substances into the vape liquids. They then bottled and distributed the products via online channels.

In a concerning revelation, the suspects also admitted to facilitating currency exchanges for Chinese clients, earning commissions on the conversion, prompting authorities to investigate possible links to transnational call-centre scams or other organised crime rings.

Ms. Netnapa faces charges for:

1. Violating the Consumer Protection Board Order No. 9/2558 by selling banned disposable e-cigarettes and refill liquids.

2. Concealing or distributing prohibited imports under Section 246 of the 2017 Customs Act.

All three suspects are jointly charged with:

1. Breaching the Consumer Protection Board’s ban on e-cigarettes and related refills.

2. Possessing and distributing goods they should have known were illegal imports, in violation of the Customs Act.

The suspects, along with all seized items, were handed over to investigators at Khok Khram Police Station for further legal proceedings.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Matichon 2025-06-22