The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has said allegations of coffee mixed with powdered ecstasy on social media were fake and part of a fraudulent scheme to swindle money out of buyers.
Wichai Chaimongkhon, ONCB secretary-general, yesterday told assembled media that: "We found it was a scam to trick drug users looking to buy ecstasy online, before the fraudster blocked the victims' Line accounts and made off with money," Mr Wichai said.
It was earlier reported that a new type of powdered ecstasy mixed with the depressant nimetazepam concealed in instant coffee packages were being sold online for 3,000 baht per pack.
The report prompted an investigation which later led to the arrest of a Twitter user, identified as Noppon Suchaichareonrat, at an apartment in Bangkok's On Nut area on Sunday. However, no illicit drugs and illegal items were found in his room.
Mr Wichai said Mr Noppon claimed all pictures of drugs including ecstasy and ketamine were just edited pictures of legal pharmaceuticals, with an accompanying QR code to directly bring victims to his Line account.
After transferring money, Mr Noppon would block the victims' Line account. He is alleged to have been duping buyers for about three months prior to his arrest, with 90 victims claiming total losses of 500,000 baht, which is said to have funded a gambling habit.
The suspect will first face charges of advertising illicit drugs under the Narcotic Drugs Act 1979, Mr Wichai said.