Bangkok: Cyber police announced the arrest of individuals involved in selling illegal cough syrup and e-cigarettes online, utilizing a local 20 baht store as a front. Over 7,600 bottles of counterfeit cough syrup, valued at over 700,000 baht, were seized, and a man from Samut Prakan was apprehended for operating an e-cigarette sales page.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Gen. Trirong Phiwpaen, Commander of the Technology Crime Investigation Division, alongside officers from Division 2, revealed the crackdown on a network selling illegal cough syrup through a Facebook page named 'Klang Ya Somjai Nuek' and a related page 'Tico Tawan.' The investigation traced the operation back to a 20-baht store in Samut Sakhon Province, leading to a court-sanctioned search.
During the search, 39-year-old Mr. Suthee was found with cough syrup packed in cardboard boxes, totaling 7,600 bottles. The seized evidence included Diphenyl, Datissin, Achacok, and Alernin. Pol. Col. Torsak Panhinput highlighted the violation, noting that the sale of such drugs must be managed by a licensed pharmacist with proper sales records, which was not the case here.
Mr. Suthee confessed to selling the confiscated items for 80-100 baht per bottle, claiming acquisition from a pharmacist sourcing directly from manufacturers. However, he refused to disclose further information about the production source. He now faces charges for distributing prescription drugs without permission and is subject to legal proceedings.
The operation of selling such drugs without a Ministry of Public Health license breaches the Drug Act B.E. 2510, carrying penalties of up to five years imprisonment and fines up to ten thousand baht.
In a parallel investigation, officers uncovered illegal e-cigarette sales via a Facebook account named 'Dechathorn..' The account was used to promote e-cigarette products and accessories, with transactions facilitated through Messenger. The suspect, Mr. Dechathorn, aged 34, was previously involved in narcotics-related offenses and was recently released from corrections.
A court search led to the discovery of 137 disposable pod heads, 51 disposable e-cigarette devices, and other related items at Dechathorn's residence in Samut Prakan Province. The suspect admitted to charges related to selling banned products under the Consumer Protection Act and customs violations. Legal proceedings are underway as authorities work to trace the source of the e-cigarettes and any additional parties involved.