Police Bust Secret ‘Zombie Vape’ Lab Linked to Chinese

Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid 

Narcotics police have uncovered a clandestine operation producing so-called “zombie vapes” inside a condominium in central Bangkok, seizing more than 500 illicit vape cartridges and arresting a Chinese national accused of supplying nightlife venues across the capital. The raid, carried out on 22 December 2025, is part of a wider crackdown on the spread of vapes laced with etomidate, a powerful medical anaesthetic, which authorities say poses serious risks to public health.

According to Pol Lt Gen Achayon Kraithong, Commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, officers from Sub-Division 1 of Narcotics Suppression Division 2 traced the network after a surge in the distribution of etomidate-mixed e-cigarette pods, locally known as “pod K” or “zombie pods”, in Bangkok. The immediate seizure included 552 ready-to-sell pods, empty cartridges, production equipment, and packaging materials.

The investigation followed earlier enforcement actions in late November, when police arrested four Chinese suspects and seized similar vape pods during raids on warehouses and distribution points in Huai Khwang, Pattaya, and Nonthaburi. Those operations prompted further intelligence work, leading officers to identify a key suspect believed to be involved in manufacturing and wholesale distribution.

On 22 December 2025, police located the suspect in the Sukhumvit 13 area and identified him as Mr Li, aged 32, a Chinese national. During questioning, he admitted to selling etomidate-mixed vape pods to Chinese customers in the Huai Khwang area at a price of around 1,200 baht per pod and disclosed that two condominium units were being used as a production base.

A search of the two rooms, conducted with the assistance of Pol Capt Kasidis Santipreechawat as a Chinese interpreter, confirmed the presence of a fully equipped setup for producing the illicit pods. Mr Li was charged with possession of a Category 2 controlled substance, etomidate, for the purpose of sale, in violation of the law and in a manner deemed to cause widespread public harm, before being handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.

Pol Lt Gen Achayon warned that etomidate, when in medical use, is a fast-acting anaesthetic designed to induce temporary unconsciousness. When inhaled through e-cigarettes, it can cause dizziness, disorientation and temporary loss of consciousness, with severe side effects including respiratory depression, cardiac arrhythmia, hallucinations, depression, anxiety and potentially death.

Thaitabloid reported that authorities said the substance has been increasingly found among foreign tourist groups and in nightlife venues such as pubs, bars, and KTV establishments. Police confirmed that investigations are continuing to identify additional members of the network and to dismantle remaining supply chains linked to the operation.

Key Takeaways

• Police seized 552 etomidate-laced vape pods and production equipment in a Bangkok condominium on 22 December 2025.

• A 32-year-old Chinese national admitted supplying “zombie pods” to nightlife areas at about 1,200 baht per unit.

• Authorities warn the substance poses severe health risks and say further arrests are expected as investigations expand.

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 Adapted  by  Asean Now from Thaitabloid  2025-12-23