Illegal e-cigarette sales found during raids in Phuket's Patong, Ratsada areas

[snoop1130]

 

Police in Phuket have carried out a raid on the Weed Club in Patong and another location in Ratsada, following allegations of illegal e-cigarette sales. The investigation started after a tip-off to the Phuket governor, Sophon Suwannarat. The governor promptly delegated Phuket Deputy Governor Sattha Thongkham to work with other officials, including Suwit Suriyawong of the Phuket Provincial Office, Mueang Phuket District Chief Worasit Putjeeb, and Kathu District Chief Theeraphong Chuaychu.

 

The Chief of the Phuket Provincial Defense Office, Akara Suwatthikul, led the investigation with support from the Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor) and Krit Thepbamrung, head of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in Phuket.

 

Acting on a warrant issued on June 13, the officials searched a rented house on Soi Kuku, Ratsada and seized 25 e-cigarettes, 229 e-cigarette suction tips, and 257 cigarette packets. They also arrested one person and confiscated B397 in cash.

 

Another operation at the Weed Club in Patong led to the seizure of 482 e-cigarettes, 787 e-cigarette tips, and 74 e-cigarette liquid bottles. They also arrested an employee from Myanmar.

 

Both individuals were taken into custody and face charges under Sections 203 and 204 of the 2017 Excise Act for possessing and selling goods without paying the necessary taxes. Furthermore, the employee from Myanmar was charged with illegally working beyond his official permissions. The report did not specify any charges against the owners or managers of the Weed Club.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-06-19

 

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[Karma80]

Tell me it's Thailand, without telling me it's Thailand - When the weed shop gets raided, not for drugs, but rather e-cigarettes, in areas which are just surrounded by organised crime, drugs, prostitution and corruption.

Edited June 19 by Karma80

[petedk]

I thought the sale of all e-cigarettes was illegal, but it seems from the headline that this particular type are illegal.

 

The people at the weed shop were arrested for "possessing and selling goods without paying the necessary taxes"  and another for illegally working.

 

The actual sale of e-cigarettes hasn't been cited as a crime. 

[watchcat]

On 6/19/2024 at 11:03 AM, snoop1130 said:

Police in Phuket have carried out a raid on the Weed Club in Patong and another location in Ratsada, following allegations of illegal e-cigarette sales. The investigation started after a tip-off to the Phuket governor, Sophon Suwannarat. The governor promptly delegated Phuket Deputy Governor Sattha Thongkham to work with other officials, including Suwit Suriyawong of the Phuket Provincial Office, Mueang Phuket District Chief Worasit Putjeeb, and Kathu District Chief Theeraphong Chuaychu.

 

An easy solution to the problem could be to make them legal?