Customs seize ฿21m in Etomidate transiting Thailand en route to Laos

Thai Customs authorities, working with the Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF), have intercepted approximately 30 kilograms of Etomidate, a Category 2 psychotropic substance valued at over 21 million baht, hidden inside plastic drums during a transit stop at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Phantong Loykulnanta, director general of the Customs Department, disclosed yesterday that the seizure was made on July 20 following an operation by the Bureau of Enforcement and Suppression, Suvarnabhumi Airport Cargo Clearance Customs Office and the Customs Intelligence Centre, alongside AITF officers.

The seizure came after officials developed intelligence indicating a suspicious cargo transshipment from India, passing through Thailand and bound for the Laos.

A physical inspection revealed white crystalline powder packed in silver plastic foil bags concealed within blue plastic drums. Subsequent laboratory testing by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) confirmed the substance to be Etomidate.

Authorities stated that the illicit shipment is an unauthorised transit of a Category 2 psychotropic substance through the Kingdom, violating Thailand's Narcotics Code as well as Sections 244 and 252, in conjunction with Sections 166 and 167, of the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017).

Phantong explained that Etomidate is an ultra-short-acting anesthetic, primarily restricted to medical use. While previously classified as a special controlled drug, it was reclassified in late July 2025 as a Category 2 psychotropic substance, placing it in the same legal category as ketamine.

The customs chief claimed that this seizure has disrupted an international narcotics trafficking network and restated Thailand’s resolve in preventing the nation from being exploited as a transit corridor or operational base for the illicit transport of controlled drugs and psychotropic substances to third countries.

During the first 10 months of fiscal year 2026, the Customs Department has interdicted more than 200 drug-related crimes, involving crystal methamphetamine, heroin, ketamine, cocaine, methamphetamine pills and Etomidate, seizing over a metric tonne of illicit or controlled substances worth more than 1.4 billion baht.