Customs Seizes 30kg of Etomidate at Suvarnabhumi Airport
Customs seized 30kg of etomidate worth over 21 million baht at Suvarnabhumi Airport on July 20, hidden in a blue drum that was being trafficked from India to Laos through Thailand.
The Customs Department, in coordination with the Airport Narcotics Interception Task Force (AITF)—comprising the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, the Narcotics Suppression Police Command, and the Thai Armed Forces Security Center—seized 30 kilograms of etomidate with an estimated value exceeding 21 million baht on July 20, 2025. The drug was found hidden in silver plastic bags concealed inside a blue plastic drum and was confirmed through laboratory testing to be etomidate, a Class 2 controlled substance under Thailand's drug laws. The shipment originated from India, transited through Thailand, and was destined for Laos, making it subject to charges of illegally trafficking a Class 2 drug through the kingdom and violations of the Customs Act.
Etomidate is a fast-acting anesthetic used exclusively in medical settings. It was reclassified from a special-control drug to a Class 2 controlled substance in late July 2024 and is now in the same category as ketamine. Customs Director Panthong noted that this seizure represents a significant success in disrupting transnational drug networks and demonstrates the department's commitment to preventing Thailand from becoming a production base or transit route for narcotics and controlled substances destined for other countries.
During the first 10 months of fiscal year 2025, the Customs Department has seized over 200 drug-related cases involving methamphetamine, heroin, ketamine, cocaine, stimulant pills, and etomidate, with total contraband exceeding one ton valued at more than 1.4 billion baht. The department pledged to continue strengthening risk management measures, intelligence analysis, and international cooperation to intercept drug smuggling and other contraband trafficking in line with government policy.
