Asthma drug in your steak: Thai police break up network doping cattle with salbutamol

Thai authorities have shattered a network supplying a banned asthma drug, salbutamol, to cattle farms across the country, according to an eight-month investigation. The Central Investigation Bureau revealed that 967 cattle from five provinces were linked to the operation, with the alleged supplier, identified as "Mr Ek," facing multiple charges under animal feed and drug laws.

Mr Ek, a former animal-feed salesman, was apprehended on September 4 after transferring over 8 million baht from his account. The investigation started on February 11 when officers found residues of salbutamol in beef at a market stall in Pathum Thani. This led to the tracing of the meat back to farms in Saraburi, Suphan Buri, and Kanchanaburi.

Over 80 million baht passed through the alleged supplier's bank accounts, and the investigation encompassed 16 sites across seven provinces before ultimately leading to the arrest on September 4. The drug, commonly used as an asthma medicine, is illegally added to feed to build muscle and reduce fat in cattle, raising their sale price.

However, it can lead to serious health issues such as irregular heartbeat, trembling hands, nausea, dizziness, and, in severe cases, even death. People with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, pregnant women, and children are particularly at risk. The investigation was prompted by the detection of salbutamol residues in beef at a market stall, which ultimately traced back to the farms.

The cattle have now become a priority for the livestock department, as the use of the drug in pig farming has eased. The department also emphasized the damage to Thailand's reputation as a meat exporter and the unfairness to honest farmers.