29-7-2024 (BANGKOK) Thai authorities have sounded the alarm over a new form of ecstasy pills shaped like the popular toy character Labubu. The discovery of these deceptively innocent-looking drugs in three provinces has prompted serious concerns about their potential appeal to children.
Pol Lt-General Trairong Phiewphan, commissioner of the Forensic Science Office, revealed on Saturday that the Labubu-shaped ecstasy pills had been uncovered in Chiang Rai, Ayutthaya, and Phuket provinces. The pills, available in green and blue hues, measure approximately 13 millimetres in height and 6 millimetres in width.
Labubu, a creation of Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung in 2015, is part of “The Monsters” series inspired by Nordic fairy tales. Produced by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, the character is known for its small, endearing appearance, featuring pointy ears and sharp teeth.
The first encounter with these pills occurred during a police raid on a karaoke pub in Chiang Rai’s Muang district last week. Subsequently, officers from Tha Rua Police Station in Ayutthaya confiscated three more “Labubu pills” from a drug suspect. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of MDMA, the active ingredient in ecstasy.
Further discoveries in Phuket have heightened concerns about the spread of these uniquely shaped narcotics. The emergence of these pills in diverse locations across Thailand suggests a coordinated effort to distribute them widely.
Lt-General Trairong emphasised the gravity of the situation, urging parents to exercise vigilance. “We are deeply concerned that children might be enticed to consume these drugs due to their resemblance to a beloved toy character,” he stated. “It’s crucial for parents to be aware of this threat and educate their children about the dangers of accepting or consuming unfamiliar items, regardless of how appealing they may appear.”
This development represents a worrying trend in drug trafficking, where dealers are employing increasingly sophisticated methods to target younger demographics. By disguising dangerous substances as innocuous toys, traffickers are exploiting children’s natural curiosity and trust.
The Thai police force is ramping up efforts to track the source of these pills and prevent their further distribution. They are also calling for increased cooperation from the public, especially parents and educators, to report any suspicious activities or sightings of these distinctively shaped pills.
