S'porean man, 37, arrested in Bangkok, part of Thai syndicate supplying drug-laced vapes

A 37-year-old Singaporean man was one of eight suspects arrested in Bangkok over the sale of drug-laced electronic cigarettes, with investigators seizing more than 15.77 million baht (over S$623,000) from the group.

Neo Ming Loon and two other Thai nationals allegedly supplied the vapes — which were mixed with a medical anaesthetic — to low-level dealers, Thailand's Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) said.

Raided in Bangkok

On May 2, Neo and the other suspects were arrested in raids conducted at a house in the Bangkok subdistrict of Din Daeng, and at an apartment in Pathum Thani province north of the Thai capital, according to Thai media and The Straits Times.

Vaping equipment and cash were also seized as evidence.

Police tipped off about sale of smuggled vapes

On May 2, CIB said in a statement on Facebook that police officers had received a tip-off about smuggled e-cigarettes that were allegedly laced with narcotics before being sold to tourists as "Kpods".

An undercover agent managed to purchase vapes for 2,500 baht (S$98.84) each from low-level dealers with alleged links to the group.

Investigations found that the vape contained etomidate, an medical anaesthetic, which can act as a nervous system depressant.

Referred to a "zombie cigarette", it can lead to unconsciousness, breathing problems, heart failure or even death if inhaled in large quantities, CIB said.

Police arrested three low-level dealers, before cracking down on other dealers in the group, along with three alleged suppliers — Neo and two Thai nationals, Phanuwat Eiatthongdam and Siwaporn Paiplod.

One dealer, 33-year-old Thai national Nattapol Boontham, who acted as a middleman, told police that when customers ordered vapes, he would purchase them from Neo, whom he had met at an entertainment venue.

Neo would then send the products directly to the customers via post, Nattapol told police as quoted by Thairath.

Nattapol added that he sold the vapes at about 1,400 baht (S$55.35) each and would take a cut of 300 to 400 baht (S$11.80 to S$15.80).

S$623,863 seized across 6 bank accounts

Neo was found to have used Phanuwat's bank account to receive money from customers, as well as to buy and sell products, CIB said.

Siwaporn, who is reportedly Neo's girlfriend, was also found with other bank passbooks and cards linked to the crimes, with a total value of approximately 15,779,836 baht (S$623,863) across six bank accounts.

Neo has also been charged with entering Thailand illegally.

Neo, Phanuwat and Siwaporn have denied the charges, Siamrath reported.

At a separate raid at a condominium in Pathum Thani, CIB seized evidence totalling 12.8 million baht (S$506,054) in the possession of Neo and Siwaporn, ST reported.

This reportedly included a car, a land title deed, jewellery, vaping equipment and around 5.8 million baht (S$229,305) in cash.

Investigations are ongoing.

Image from CIB Thailand's Facebook