Singaporean man arrested in Bangkok for selling Kpods: Thai media report
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The 33-year-old man and a Thai woman were found with 130 Kpods and more than one million baht (S$40,000) in cash.
PHOTO: KHAOSOD ENGLISH
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SINGAPORE – A Singaporean man was among four people arrested in Thai capital Bangkok on Sept 26 for selling Kpods, or vapes laced with etomidate, reported Thai media outlet Khaosod.
The 33-year-old man and a Thai woman were found, during a raid at a condominium, with 130 Kpods and more than one million baht (S$40,000) in cash.
The arrests came after the Thai authorities caught two other Thai women at a separate condominium in Bangkok.
These women had confessed to selling etomidate vape pods to clients, including social media influencers, at 1,800 to 2,000 baht each. It was reported that they sold 50 to 100 of the products a day.
Etomidate, which is a medical anaesthetic, was classified in Thailand as a Category 2 narcotic in July, following its growing abuse in vape products.
Category 2 narcotics are considered ordinary narcotics, and include substances like morphine and codeine. Dangerous narcotics come under Category 1 and include heroin.
All four people face charges in relation to the trafficking of Category 2 narcotics in Thailand.
According to information put up by Siam Legal International, a law firm in Thailand, the penalties could range from a two-year jail term to life imprisonment, as well as a fine of around 200,000 baht to five million baht.
The Singaporean man also faces additional charges for overstaying.
The Straits Times has contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Narcotics Bureau for more information.
Under United Nations drug conventions, etomidate is not listed as a controlled drug. However, Singapore has taken steps to temporarily list it under the Misuse of Drugs Act to combat its spread here.
Abusing the substance has been tied to serious psychiatric and physical effects, including suicidal behaviour, breathing difficulties and hormone imbalances.
In Singapore, those importing Kpods can be jailed for up to 20 years and given up to 15 strokes of the cane. Those who sell or distribute the products face a possible jail term of up to 10 years and up to five strokes of the cane.
