BANG LAMUNG, Chon Buri: On August 26th, 2026, officers from Bang Lamung Police Station arrested a 21-year-old Thai-European man on drug charges after an undercover operation targeting the sale of etomidate pods, a Category 2 narcotic.
Pol. Col. Sarawut Nuchnarat, superintendent of Banglamung Police Station, assigned Pol. Lt. Col. Yongyuth Wanhuea, deputy superintendent of the investigation division; Pol. Lt. Col. Wutthiphong Kasa, investigation inspector; and Pol. Sub-Lt. Natthathan Chantawong, deputy investigation inspector, along with a team of investigators to follow up on drug-related activity in their jurisdiction. The operation led to the arrest of Richard, 21, a Thai national of European descent, along with a substantial quantity of evidence.
Prior to the arrest, investigators had been monitoring drug issues in the area of Na Kluea Soi 8, near the 100-Year-Old Market in Na Kluea Subdistrict. Local youths informed police that a man was illegally selling “K-pods” or etomidate, classified as a Category 2 narcotic.
Officers arranged an undercover purchase. Using a Facebook account as an informant and contacted the suspect’s account and agreed to buy one etomidate pod for 1,500 baht. Richard arranged to meet the buyer outside an unnumbered rented room in Soi Phothisan, Village 6.
At the appointed time, investigators positioned themselves nearby for surveillance. They observed a mixed Thai-European man approximately 180 cm tall with a slim build, wearing jeans and no shirt, approach the meeting point and hand over an object resembling a narcotic to the informant. Upon the signal, officers moved in and took the man into custody. A search of the item confirmed it was an etomidate pod sealed in a plastic bag.
Under questioning, Richard admitted selling the etomidate pod to the undercover buyer for 1,500 baht. He said the buyer had initiated contact and that he himself had chosen the meeting location. He further confessed to previously using ketamine and etomidate pods, and revealed that additional pods were hidden in a drawer of a wardrobe in his rented room.
A later search of the room uncovered 10 etomidate pods, another 10 pods in dark yellow packaging labeled “Mango,” approximately 0.51 grams of white cloudy ketamine crystals, seven used etomidate pods, two mouthpieces, empty packaging from used pods, and various other packaging materials.
Police charged Richard with attempting to sell and selling Category 2 narcotics (etomidate) for commercial purposes, possession of Category 2 narcotics (etomidate) without authorization, and possession of a Category 2 psychotropic substance (ketamine) without authorization.
