Chinese seller and Thai interpreter arrested in police raid on zombie vape operation
A Chinese seller and his Thai wife were arrested for allegedly selling drug-laced vapes in Thailand.
Jianguo and his partner Ratchanee reportedly supplied 'zombie pods' Chinese clients in party venues in Chiang Mai.
The e-cigarrete pods, also known as 'Pod K', were laced with a powerful horse tranquiliser called Etomidate, which can induce euphoria.
The couple were said to have sourced the controlled drug from a Burmese man and repackaged them for distribution before they were arrested in a police raid on June 1.
Police said the operation followed reports that the pair's home was being used as an illegal drug factory.
Officers stormed the property, where they found both suspects 'acting suspiciously' while Ratchanee acted as an interpreter during the search.
Inside a bedroom, police discovered dozens of zombie pods, production equipment, several mobile phones, and a modified .380 Kimber BB handgun with 30 rounds of ammunition.
Tests confirmed the pods contained Etomidate.
Both suspects allegedly admitted ownership of the seized items. They were detained and charged with jointly distributing Category 2 psychotropic substances for sale.
Ratchanee was additionally charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. She claimed the gun had been purchased through Facebook for 20,000 baht 'for self-defence'.
Police Lieutenant General Kritthaphol Yisakhon, provincial police commander, said the suspects confessed to purchasing the substance from a Burmese man through the Telegram application for 50,000 baht per bottle.
He said: 'They travelled to Chiang Rai to collect it, then divided the substance into 0.5cc vape pods that were sold for around 1,000 to 2,000 baht each, while larger 6cc pods were sold for between 6,000 and 10,000 baht.'
The couple reportedly targeted Chinese tourists visiting nightlife venues, with Ratchanee acting as an interpreter and contact person.
Police later searched a second property in Chiang Mai and arrested Chinese national Cheng suspected of being a zombie pod distributor.
Officers recovered 2.9 grammes of crystal methamphetamine and two vape pods from his bag. Investigators also uncovered a chemical mixing station, etomidate, ketamine, flavourings, and hundreds of vape devices and components used in production.
Cheng was charged with unauthorised possession of Category 1 narcotics and Category 2 psychotropic substances, as well as distributing Category 2 psychotropic substances through sale for commercial purposes and causing dissemination among the public.
All suspects were handed over to investigators at Saraphi Police Station for legal proceedings and further investigation into other possible accomplices.
Vaping pods mixed with etomidate can cause shaking and intoxication. They are reportedly popular among drug users in China, ranking second after crystal meth, police said.
Etomidate is a medical anaesthetic that quickly sedates patients by slowing the central nervous system. Inhaling it through e-cigarettes is highly dangerous, causing lung irritation, unpredictable absorption and potential respiratory failure. It can also trigger sudden unconsciousness and severe drops in blood pressure, leading to life-threatening emergencies.
Vaping has been banned in Thailand since 2014, despite the products being easily purchased in the country.
Those caught vaping or even just possessing a vape could result in a fine of up to 30,000 THB, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
