Police have arrested transgender influencer Nara Crepe Katoey on a charge of advertising dietary supplements containing a hazardous psychoactive drug, desoxy-D2PM.
Pol Col Neti Wongkularp, superintendent of the Crime Suppression Division, said on Tuesday that Aniwat Prathumthin, 23, aka Nara Crepe Katoey, was one of three suspects taken into custody during raids in Ratchaburi, Maha Sarakham and Ayutthaya provinces.
His arrest followed the discovery of the hazardous substance desoxy-D2PM in samples of dietary supplements he advertised on social media.
The other suspects are Methakorn Chanthawong, 39, and Nichakarn Kaewmeesee, 28.
Pol Col Neti said that Ms Nichakarn's company Charmar Perfect hired Sirinda Cosmetics Co to produce Charma Gluta supplements, and also hired Mr Aniwat to advertise the product on online platforms. The proceeds were transferred to the bank account of Mr Methakorn, who is a relative of Ms Nichakarn.
The three suspects denied any wrongdoing. Aniwat said he was not involved in the production process of the dietary supplements. However, Pol Col Neti said the influencer could not deny responsibility.
Dr Surachoke Tangwiwat, deputy secretary-general of the Food and Drug Administration, said that many producers illegally added desoxy-D2PM and sibutramine to dietary supplements.
Desoxy-D2PM coul cause hallucinations, anxiety, violence and rapid heartbeat. Sibutramine could cause constipation, dry mouth, insomnia, nausea, hypertension, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, headache and even death, Dr Surachoke said.
In June Nara Crepe Katoey was arrested for alleged lese majeste in a video promotion for the Lazada e-commerce network.