The Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau announced that the Economic Crime Suppression Division joined forces with three agencies to launch the “Anti Zombies” operation, dismantling a drug network and seizing 28 kilograms of Etomidate valued at more than 20 million baht.
At 11:00 AM on 9 April 2026, at the press conference room on the 2nd floor of the Central Investigation Bureau headquarters, Pol. Lt. Gen. Natsak Chawanasai, Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau; Pol. Maj. Gen. Tatphoom Charuprat, Commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division; Pol. Col. Naruepon Karuna, Chief of Division 2, Economic Crime Suppression Division; Pol. Lt. Col. Sathaporn Purahong, Deputy Chief of Division 2, Economic Crime Suppression Division; alongside Mr. Phanthong Loikulanun, Director-General of the Customs Department, and Mr. Kanisorn Papeeronont, Director of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, jointly held a press briefing.
They announced the results of the “Anti Zombies” operation that led to the arrest of seven suspects in four provinces: Udon Thani, Roi Et, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Bangkok. The operation intercepted the smuggling of more than 28 kilograms of Etomidate from India, valued at over 20 million baht.
The seven suspects arrested are: Mr. Charan Kaewnakhon, 27; Mr. Thanongwit Pimsarn, 26; Mr. Nawapon Somsamal, 21; Mr. Theerawisit Sihapanya, 41; Mr. Thanaphon Butthep, 24; Mr. Thanawat Phumkomol, 24; and Mr. Wanchai Kiri, 22.
Searches were conducted at a motorcycle repair shop in Khlong Chan subdistrict, Bang Kapi district, Bangkok; a commercial building in Mak Khaeng subdistrict, Mueang Udon Thani district; and a house converted into a storage facility in Mak Khaeng subdistrict, Mueang Udon Thani district. Seized items included 920 Etomidate-mixed e-cigarette pods, one homemade firearm, 200 empty pods for making vaping devices, 17 gallons of e-liquid and flavoring agents, 1.3 grams of methamphetamine ice, 952 grams of Etomidate in clear plastic bags, 1,400 grams of sweetener, five digital scales, and 58 fruit-flavored additives.
The operation began after the Economic Crime Suppression Division received international intelligence that a criminal group was smuggling Etomidate, a narcotic substance, to mix with e-cigarettes and spread among teenagers and nightlife patrons. The substance was being falsely declared as cosmetic ingredients to smuggle it into Thailand.
Upon learning this, the Economic Crime Suppression Division coordinated with the Customs Department to urgently detain suspicious inbound international parcels. Eight boxes addressed to different recipients in Thailand were inspected and found to contain Etomidate, a Schedule 2 controlled substance. The operation included the AITF task force, comprising Customs, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, and the Security Center of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, seizing a total of 28 kilograms of Etomidate in the eight boxes.
Further investigation identified a criminal group with clearly defined roles: the ringleader, Mr. Theerawisit, procured Etomidate and raw materials from abroad; Mr. Wanchai coordinated shipping and delivery points; Mr. Charan and Mr. Nawapon manufactured and sold the vaping pods; Mr. Thanongwit and Mr. Thanawat acted as front accountants; the others were collaborators.
They ordered Etomidate directly from India, using international shipping to bring the goods into Thailand. The group used "front accountants" to conceal the real masterminds during import and payment processes. They hired shipping agents to move goods from the Suvarnabhumi Airport cargo warehouse, hiding the true importers, then sent parcels to Udon Thani for distribution to Nong Khai before sale within Thailand and Laos.
Another portion of Etomidate was sent directly to Bangkok and stored at a motorcycle repair shop in Bang Kapi district, which served as a front for producing vaping pods sold in tourist spots and entertainment venues in Bangkok. The target customers are teenagers, nightlife visitors, affluent individuals, and foreigners.
After identifying the suspects, authorities collected evidence and obtained search and arrest warrants. They raided and arrested all suspects, seizing all evidence. This marks another successful disruption of a drug network, helping to prevent wider harm to society.
The suspects were initially charged with jointly submitting incorrect or incomplete customs documents related to tax evasion, jointly importing goods through customs while circumventing restrictions, and jointly importing a Schedule 2 controlled substance (Etomidate) for commercial purposes and to spread among the public without authorization.
During interrogation, some suspects confessed while others denied the charges. All were handed over to Division 2 of the Economic Crime Suppression Division for prosecution, with investigations continuing to identify other involved parties.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Tatphoom explained that Etomidate is a narcotic substance mixed with e-liquid and injected into vaping pods. When inhaled, it causes dizziness and loss of balance, hence the nickname "zombie vaping." The pods sell for 1,500 to 2,000 baht each. One kilogram costs about 700,000 baht but can fetch much higher prices abroad.
Pol. Col. Naruepon stated that interrogations revealed the group started operations early in 2026. They sourced Etomidate from India because some countries do not classify it as a narcotic, allowing legal use there.