Illicit Weight Loss Drug Hub Busted in Thailand After Deaths; Sibutramine Found

MGR Online•Society•21d ago

Reader Briefing

Authorities bust illegal weight loss drug operations in Nonthaburi linked to multiple deaths, finding over ten brands adulterated with sibutramine.

•Police in Nonthaburi raided a warehouse and an illegal weight loss drug manufacturing site following reports of consumer deaths.
•Over ten brands of weight loss products were found to contain sibutramine, a hazardous substance.
•The operation was prompted by the death of a young woman in Bangkok after consuming a product called 'Bashi'.
•Authorities are investigating the distribution network and the Chinese suppliers of the finished products.

•A young woman in Din Daeng district, Bangkok, died after consuming 'Bashi' weight loss pills, prompting an investigation.
•In February, a woman died after consuming illicit diet pills, leading to a complaint by her relatives.
•Police from the Metropolitan Police Bureau raided a warehouse and manufacturing site in Bang Yai, Nonthaburi.
•Over 10 brands of illegal weight loss products were seized, all found to be mixed with sibutramine.
•Authorities apprehended three Myanmar nationals managing the factory, with ongoing efforts to identify the factory owner and distributors.
•Pharmacist-General Supattra Boonserm stated that the FDA has been cracking down on food supplements illegally containing sibutramine from 2024-2026.
•Sibutramine is a dangerous substance that suppresses appetite and can cause severe heart and vascular problems, including sudden cardiac arrest, and is prohibited from production and sale.
•The raid resulted from a sting operation where undercover officers purchased suspect diet pills from an online platform, confirming the presence of sibutramine.

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Supamas Isaraphakdi

"This type of dietary supplement has caused deaths. Examining the seized products, over 10 items lack an อย. number."

ผลิตภัณฑ์เสริมอาหารชนิดนี้เคยมีคนกินแล้วเสียชีวิตไปแล้ว วันนี้เท่าที่ดูผลิตภัณฑ์ของกลางกว่า 10 รายการ ไม่มีเลข อย. กำกับ

Phatcharaphon Phuaphan

"Don't be greedy because sales are high initially. These products show initial results and sell well, but won't last long before being caught."

อย่าโลภเพราะช่วงแรกขายได้เยอะ ผลิตภัณฑ์เหล่านี้กินแล้วได้ผลในระยะต้นจริง ขายดีในระยะต้นจริง แต่ขายได้ไม่นานเดี๋ยวก็ถูกจับ

Supamas(ศุภมาส)

Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, who led the press conference regarding the raid on illegal weight loss drug operations.

Pol. Gen. Samran Nuamma(พล.ต.อ.สำราญ นวลมา)

Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, who participated in the press conference.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Chotiwat Leuangvilai(พล.ต.ต.โชติวัฒน์ เหลืองวิลัย)

Commander of the Investigation Bureau, Metropolitan Police, who revealed details about the undercover operation.

Pharmacist Supattra Boonserm(เภสัชกรหญิงสุภัทรา บุญเสริม)

Secretary-General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who provided details on sibutramine and FDA crackdowns.

Metropolitan Police Bureau(สำนักงานตำรวจแห่งชาติ (บช.น.))

The police agency responsible for the investigation and raid on the illegal weight loss drug manufacturing site.

FDA(อย.)

The Thai Food and Drug Administration, responsible for regulating food supplements and warning about hazardous substances like sibutramine.

Nonthaburi(นนทบุรี)ℹ️

The province where the raided warehouse and illegal weight loss drug manufacturing site were located.

Bang Yai(บางใหญ่)

The district in Nonthaburi where the illegal operations were discovered.

Bang Mae Nang(บางแม่นาง)

The sub-district within Bang Yai where the manufacturing site was located.

Din Daeng(ดินแดง)

The district in Bangkok where the deceased woman resided and consumed the illicit diet pills.

Bangkok(กรุงเทพมหานคร)ℹ️

The capital city of Thailand, where a death linked to illicit diet pills occurred.

Bashi(บาชิ)

The brand name of an illicit weight loss product that caused a consumer's death.

Sibutramine(ไซบูทรามีน)ℹ️

A hazardous substance and appetite suppressant found mixed in over ten brands of confiscated illegal weight loss drugs.