Thai anti-narcotics and customs officials seized 510.7 tonnes of aniline, contained in 22 tanks and destined for Laos, at the warehouse for dangerous chemicals in Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chon Buri province on Wednesday.
Wichai Chaimongkhon, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, said Friday that the aniline was imported into Thailand by two logistics companies, but without import permits for Category 3 dangerous substances, making it subject to confiscation.
Wichai added that aniline, when synthesised with other precursor chemicals, can be used to produce fentanyl, which is classified as a Category 2 narcotic in Thailand.
He said that the amount of aniline seized could be used to produce about 85,000kg of fentanyl.
Aniline is an organic compound, consisting of a phenyl group attached to an amino group. It is an industrially significant commodity chemical, as well as a versatile starting material for fine chemical synthesis.
Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic piperidine opioid, primarily used as an analgesic (for pain relief) and as an anaesthetic.
