PATTAYA – A Chinese man and woman accused of running an illegal surrogacy operation in Hangzhou were arrested at a hotel in Pattaya on Sunday. Thai police detained Mr Yan, 43, and Ms Mi, 33, in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, after the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok asked for their arrest, according to the Immigration Bureau.
Key Takeaways:
- The pair are wanted in China for allegedly running an illegal commercial surrogacy service in Hangzhou.
- Police say Mr Yan helped organize assisted reproductive procedures in a rented house that had been turned into an underground lab.
- Authorities said both suspects have had their visas cancelled and will be sent back to China.
Police said the Hangzhou Public Security Bureau is seeking the pair on charges tied to illegal surrogacy activity in Linping district, which is part of Hangzhou in eastern China’s Zhejiang province.
Investigators believe Mr Yan played a leading role in setting up the operation and coordinating others involved in the procedures.
Police said the business was run under the name Hangzhou Shengbao Medical and Health Technology Co Ltd, but operated without a licence. The rented property linked to the case was reportedly used as a hidden laboratory for assisted reproductive procedures.
According to China Daily, Mr Yan already faces an administrative penalty in Linping district. That penalty includes the seizure of drugs and medical equipment, plus a fine of 3.22 million yuan, or about 15 million baht.
Ms Mi is accused of being a shareholder who controlled the illegal service. Police said she handled marketing and worked to expand the customer base by inviting people to use the operation.
Thai police said the two suspects will be extradited to China after their visas were revoked.
