Police Bust Drug-Laced Vape Ring Operating From Bangkok
Police arrested two women in Bangkok for manufacturing thousands of drug-laced vaping devices laced with etomidate, an anesthetic used as a recreational drug, after dark web surveillance uncovered their operation.
On July 16, 2025, Metropolitan Police Division 3 officers arrested Ratnawalee (surname withheld), 24, and Jariyaporn (surname withheld), 22, in connection with manufacturing and distributing e-cigarettes mixed with etomidate. Police seized 2,936 port-k vaping devices, three liters each of VG and PG base liquids, 27 bottles of VGPG solution, 300 grams of etomidate powder, fruit flavoring concentrates, mixing equipment including magnetic stirrers, beakers, and a digital scale from a house in Nuan Chanthorn subdistrict, Bueng Kum district, Bangkok.
The investigation began after authorities monitored dark web social media and discovered advertisements selling port-k devices to customers in Bangkok entertainment venues or shipped to provinces. On July 15 around 5 p.m., officers spotted the two women carrying boxes from the target house and apprehended them with 400 vaping devices. Further searches revealed large quantities of port-k, liquids, and equipment inside. Both women confessed to producing the devices weekly using a simple formula they called "moo tuu" (refrigerator pork), mixing VG, PG, fruit-flavored liquid concentrate, and etomidate powder. They were paid 20,000 baht per production session and delivered portions to customers across provinces via courier services using phone numbers registered by their employer.
Both suspects face charges of unlawfully manufacturing and distributing Class 2 psychotropic substances (etomidate) for commercial purposes and distribution to the public. They have been handed over to Kokkhram Police Station for legal proceedings.
