A doctor from Police General Hospital has been arrested for allegedly procuring alprazolam, a powerful sedative, valued at 15 million baht from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) without authorisation.
The arrest was made on Tuesday at the suspect’s residence after a large quantity of alprazolam was discovered at her police flat in Bangkok.
Pol Gen Suchart Theerasawat, deputy head of an anti-narcotics working group under the Ministry of Public Health, confirmed the development.
He identified the suspect as Pol Col Dr Anchulee Phetrat, one of four individuals arrested in connection with the case.
Among the others was a man who had been living in the same flat and was allegedly dealing drugs from the premises, located on Phetchaburi Soi 6 in the Phaya Thai district.
Authorities are expanding the investigation to determine whether other doctors or medical personnel may also be involved.
According to Dr Withid Sareddeechaikool, deputy secretary-general of the FDA, Dr Anchulee had placed alprazolam orders totalling 15 million baht through the agency since 2022. “The FDA began to suspect the orders and asked police to investigate,” he said.
Investigators later discovered that the doctor had used the identities of deceased patients to acquire the drug. The sedative was then sold to at least 11 clinics, generating an estimated 80 million baht in revenue. Officials noted that one of these clinics has already been raided.
Alprazolam, widely known under the brand name Xanax, is a psychotropic drug prescribed for anxiety. While medically approved, it is also known for its potential for abuse.
In Thailand, the drug is often misused recreationally, especially when mixed with cough syrup or kratom leaf juice. There have also been reports of alprazolam being used as a “date rape” drug in nightlife venues.
Under Thai law, the FDA strictly controls the manufacture, sale, import, and export of alprazolam. Only the Ministry of Public Health or licensed parties may handle the substance.
Possessing or distributing it without proper authorisation carries a prison sentence of five to 20 years and/or a fine ranging from 100,000 to 400,000 baht.
