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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Drugs bust in eastern Thailand nets 11 tonnes of ketamine, worth 29 billion baht

    Police in eastern Thailand have confiscated over 11 tonnes of ketamine, thought to be worth around 29 billion baht, from a warehouse in Chachoengsao province. The haul was made up of 457 bags, each containing 25 kilos of the contraband substance. It’s understood officers had expanded their investigation after 300 kilos of ketamine seized in Taiwan was found to have come from Thailand.


    Montri Yimyaem, head of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, says the size of the haul would indicate the drug was destined for overseas distribution, adding that officials will liaise with their international counterparts as part of the investigation.


    “The drug is not popular in Thailand, and is mostly sold abroad, including Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Japan and Korea.”


    According to a report in the Bangkok Post, the Minister of Justice, Somsak Thepsutin, says this may be just the tip of the iceberg and investigations into drug-smuggling operations are ongoing.


    “This discovery is only the beginning, there will be further investigations to seize ill-gotten gains connected to drug smuggling.”


    Ketamine is used as an anaesthetic or for sedation during medical procedures. It is also sometimes prescribed as an anti-depressant. However, it is also used recreationally, putting users into a trance or dream-like state, and sometimes inducing hallucinations.

    Drugs bust in eastern Thailand nets 11 tonnes of ketamine, worth 29 billion baht | The Thaiger

  2. #2
    . Neverna's Avatar
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    Thailand's 'largest ketamine bust' turns out to be cleaning agent

    Thailand's claim to have seized almost $1bn worth of the drug ketamine has turned out to be a "misunderstanding", its justice minister has said.

    Instead, lab tests found the substance was trisodium phosphate - a compound commonly used as a cleaning agent.

    Somsak Thepsuthin said a "technical error" in field testing had led to the initial false claim.

    Officials had seized the substance earlier this month, and declared it to be Thailand's largest ketamine seizure.

    Ketamine is widely used as an anaesthetic, but due to its hallucinogenic effects is also thought of as a "party drug". It can cause serious harm to the body and be fatal if used this way.

    Trisodium phosphate, a white powdered substance, can be used in stain remover, or even as a food additive.



    "This was a misunderstanding that our agency must accept," Mr Somsak told reporters, adding that there was a "technical error in the field", according to a Bangkok Post report.

    He explained that the mix up had occurred because preliminary tests, which turn purple in the presence of ketamine hydrochloride, react the same to trisodium phosphate.

    But when tested again later in a proper laboratory by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), at least 66 sacks were confirmed to be the cleaning agent, said the Bangkok Post.

    According to Reuters, there were 475 bags of the substance altogether that were found.

    On 12 November, Thailand seized nearly 11.5 tonnes of white powder from a local warehouse after a tip-off from Taiwan.

    "The drugs are the largest amount ever seized in Thailand, with [an] estimated value [of] 28.7bn baht ($950m; £710m) based on retail price," Wichai Chaimongkhol, ONCB secretary-general, told reporters after the bust, according to a report by The Nation.

    Mr Somsak later admitted that it "might have been premature to hold a press conference" at such an early stage, said the Post.


    Thailand'''s '''largest ketamine bust''' turns out to be cleaning agent - BBC News

    Minister blames 'technical error' for ketamine bust blunder

    Ketamine worth Bt28.7 billion seized from warehouse in Chachoengsao

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Neverna View Post
    Instead, lab tests found the substance was trisodium phosphate - a compound commonly used as a cleaning agent.
    Well know to most university students in the USA. The secret to cleaning the place you rented in order to get your deposit back. TSP will clean anything.

  4. #4
    . Neverna's Avatar
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    Given that the text on the bags contains the words trisodium phosphate and TSP, you'd think they would have checked earlier if any of it was in fact trisodium phosphate. Schoolboy error.



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