16-8-2023 (BANGKOK) In a crackdown on illicit drug sales, the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) in Bangkok conducted coordinated raids across the city resulting in the arrest of thirteen individuals posing as pharmacists. These bogus pharmacists were discovered to have been selling cough syrup illegally, contributing to the production of the notorious “4×100” drug cocktail.
The raids were executed at the request of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and targeted 14 pharmacies in Bangkok. The arrests were made on charges of practicing the pharmaceutical profession without proper licensing, and police confiscated a significant amount of evidence during the operation, totaling 1.4 million baht in value.
Pol Col Supoj Phumyam, the chief of Consumer Protection Police Sub-division 4, reported that among the fake pharmacists apprehended, five had not pursued education beyond high school. Their activities involved dispensing medications to customers without the required qualifications. The individuals were found to have been paid monthly salaries ranging from 12,000 to 18,000 baht. Operating in the absence of full-time pharmacists who only visited the stores once a week, these bogus practitioners were filling in the gaps.
Furthermore, authorities revealed that the fake pharmacists were implicated in the illegal sale of cough syrup to younger individuals. This syrup served as a base ingredient for producing the illicit “4×100” cocktail. Typically, the concoction includes kratom leaves, cola, and a tranquilizer or painkiller.
The coordinated raids were prompted by a reminder issued by the Pharmacy Council of Thailand, emphasizing that pharmacies must employ at least one licensed pharmacist in their establishments.
Out of the 14 targeted locations, Pol Col Supoj indicated that several were part of pharmacy chains. The investigative effort resulted in the seizure of 24,722 bottles of cough syrup and 4,150 capsules of Tramadol, a controlled substance commonly used for pain management, among other drugs.
Pharmacy regulations were manipulated, as highlighted by Pol Col Supoj, who explained that some pharmacies established multiple branches to increase their allowable quotas of cough syrup for legitimate sale. According to regulations, each branch is permitted to obtain up to 300 bottles of cough syrup per month.
The pharmacies engaged in the illegal sale of cough syrup to produce the “4×100” cocktail were primarily concentrated in the Ramkhamhaeng, Hua Mak, and Lat Phrao areas of Bangkok. The raids reflect a concerted effort to curb such illicit activities and maintain public health and safety standards.
