Former Dutch soldier arrested for 'Breaking Bad style meth and date rape lab' in Thailand

A former Dutch soldier was arrested for allegedly cooking meth and preparing date rape drugs at his home in Thailand.

Simon Leonardus Petrus Sjerps, 63, reportedly manufactured the illegal substances in a condominium in the outskirts of 'Sin City' Pattaya.

Pattaya City Police officers said they had been observing the Dutch national 'for suspicious activity' before raiding his room on August 4.

Cops discovered the expat's home-based 'Breaking Bad' laboratory, with a small gas stove, fuel tank, a stainless steel bowl, stirring rods, and other drug paraphernalia. There were also various chemicals like sodium hydroxide and jelly candies believed to be precursors for the date rape drug, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid or GHB, at the scene.

The Pattaya City Police Narcotics Suppression Unit seized the equipment, as well as 120 Euros and 55,000 baht in cash, and two plastic bags containing crystal meth that Simon had tried to hide on his person.

During questioning, Simon reportedly admitted to using meth.

He allegedly said the drug lab and chemicals were used to make the date rape drug but claimed he had never tried his own products.

Police Colonel Nawin Thirawit, Superintendent of the Pattaya City Police Station, said: 'The suspect will be charged with possessing and consuming narcotics category I, crystal meth. If we find other violations, we will charge him further during the legal proceedings.'

According to Thai law, carrying Category I drugs, including LSD and ecstasy, for 'disposal or possession for the purpose of disposal', has a maximum punishment of the death sentence or life in prison. The most severe punishments are reserved for those who 'produce of import' the substances, while simply possessing the drugs can land offenders in jail for up to 10 years.

Dealing the lesser Category 2 drugs, which include cocaine and ketamine, can carry a life sentence while possession alone has a punishment of five years.

Breaking Bad is an American TV series created by Vince Gilligan. It aired from 2008 to 2013 and starred Bryan Cranston as Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine manufacturer, and Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman, a former student who becomes his partner.