Crime Drug Bust Uncovers Alprazolam and Counterfeit Medicine Worth 20 Million Baht

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Police in Bangkok, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, have seized a massive consignment of illegal and counterfeit medication worth over 20 million baht, including the controlled substances Alprazolam and Dormicum. The drugs were allegedly smuggled into Thailand from Cambodia and distributed online.

 

The operation, led by Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, alongside senior officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Ministry of Public Health, resulted in the arrest of a 31-year-old man identified as Mr. Sutthinan, also known as Benz.

 

Authorities confiscated more than 82,000 tablets of controlled substances and over 1,900 bottles of liquid medication from two residences in Pathum Thani’s Khu Khot district. One of the houses served as a distribution centre, while the other functioned as a warehouse.

 

Police began investigating after monitoring suspicious online activity, where illicit drugs were openly advertised on a private website. These included Alprazolam, Dormicum and MST morphine, all of which are categorised as Type 2 controlled substances in Thailand and require special authorisation to import and distribute.

 

Following surveillance and intelligence gathering, officers obtained a search warrant from Thanyaburi Provincial Court. On 15 July, authorities, including cadets from the 116th criminal investigation course, raided the properties and discovered large quantities of unauthorised drugs.

 

During initial questioning, the suspect confessed to purchasing the substances illegally from Cambodia via online platforms. He admitted to distributing them through closed online groups. Alprazolam and Dormicum, both sedatives, are often misused for criminal purposes, such as being mixed with drinks to induce drowsiness for exploitation. MST morphine, a potent painkiller, is also abused as a narcotic.

 

The suspect now faces three serious charges:

 

1. Possession and distribution of a Type 2 narcotic with intent to sell without authorisation, deemed a commercial offence with risk of public dissemination.

 

2. Possession and distribution of Type 2 controlled substances without a licence, also with the intent to distribute.

 

3. Possession and distribution of Type 4 controlled substances without permission.

 

Authorities stated that further investigations are underway to identify others involved in the network.

 

This operation marks one of the most significant drug seizures involving controlled medication smuggled from Cambodia in recent years, highlighting growing concerns over cross-border pharmaceutical trafficking and online drug sales in the region.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-07-17