Banglamung, Thailand – In a sweeping operation ordered by Banglamung District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon, local authorities have cracked down on the illegal sale of “4×100” kratom drinks across the district. The crackdown targeted multiple locations and resulted in the seizure of over 500 kratom drinks and more than 1,500 bottles of cough syrup used in the production of the illicit concoction.
The raids, led by District Deputy Kamphrai Laosaen and supported by members of the Banglamung Territorial Defense Volunteers, focused on six shops suspected of selling the illegal mixture. Complaints from residents about youth purchasing the intoxicating drinks prompted the action. Some of the shops had previously been raided but continued operating, while others were newly established.
One of the primary targets, “Pathum Kratom Leaf” in Soi Khao Talo, was operating out of a three-story commercial building. The first floor served as a storefront for kratom drinks, while the upper floors housed 130 bottles of cough syrup—including well-known brands like Benadryl—and production equipment. Authorities also found hundreds of discarded cough syrup boxes, suggesting ongoing large-scale operations.
A second shop in Soi Praphanimit was found to have over 300 kratom drink bottles prepared for sale. Investigators discovered containers filled with various cough syrups and syringes, allowing customers to choose their preferred mix-ins. A total of 1,300 bottles of assorted cough syrup were confiscated from the site.
Additional raids across Pattaya, Nong Prue, and other areas in Banglamung resulted in the seizure of more than 100 bottles of the 4×100 concoction. All individuals claiming ownership of the raided shops were detained. Arrest records were prepared before transferring them to local police stations for legal processing.
District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon issued a stern warning to those involved in the production and sale of illegal kratom drinks. “Anyone caught violating the law will face immediate arrest and prosecution,” he said, reaffirming the district’s commitment to eradicating this public safety issue.
Although kratom was decriminalized in Thailand in 2022, the law strictly prohibits the sale of kratom in food or drink without a license. Mixing it with cough syrup or other substances to create stronger psychoactive effects remains illegal.
Authorities emphasized that while natural kratom leaf use is permitted, modifying it for recreational highs, particularly among youths, is a serious offense that will be met with strict enforcement.
