China, Thailand and Vietnam Jointly Seize 5 Tons of Drug-Making Chemicals and Arrest 41 People

(China, 4th) — Anti-drug agencies of China, Thailand, and Vietnam jointly carried out a law enforcement cooperation operation, dismantling three illegal manufacturing sites of Etomidate and its precursor Mercapto-Etomidate in Thailand, Vietnam, and China, arresting 41 suspects and seizing 5 tons of drug-making chemicals.

According to China Central Television (CCTV), the Shandong Provincial Narcotics Control Department discovered in May 2024 that multiple suspects engaged in drug manufacturing were purchasing drug-making chemicals and were active in China, Thailand, Vietnam, and other locations, suspected of illegally producing Etomidate.

To combat this cross-border drug manufacturing gang, the Narcotics Control Bureau of China’s Ministry of Public Security instructed the Shandong Narcotics Control Department to carry out case investigations and cooperated with drug control authorities in Thailand and Vietnam.

According to reports, based on intelligence provided by the Chinese side, drug enforcement authorities in Thailand and Vietnam quickly pinpointed the suspects’ whereabouts and the drug manufacturing sites. The Narcotics Control Bureau of China’s Ministry of Public Security then led a Chinese special task force to Thailand to carry out the operation.

On Thursday (April 2), law enforcement personnel from the three countries simultaneously launched coordinated actions. Public security agencies in Shandong, Henan, Hunan, Guangdong, and Gansu provinces organized police forces to cooperate and successfully solved the case.

At the scene, law enforcement officers seized 6 kilograms of solid Etomidate, 65 liters of liquid Etomidate, 15 kilograms of kratom leaves, 5 tons of drug-making chemicals, and several pieces of manufacturing equipment. The case is currently under further investigation.