Vape escape: Police bust smuggled e-cigarette stash in Bangkok

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Police from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) made a significant breakthrough in Bangkok, seizing a large cache of illicit e-cigarettes smuggled from abroad.

 

Officers arrested a 37 year old Chinese national named Lee during a raid in the Bang Bon area, confiscating 6,800 e-cigarette units.

 

The operation was led by Puttidech Boonkapue, the commander of the ECD, who directed Chatchawan Chuchaijaroen and Wanichaya Chaiprong among other officers to apprehend the suspect. Lee was charged with hiding and distributing goods that had not undergone customs procedures, a serious offence under Thai law.

 

Before the raid, law enforcement had been aware of a smuggling operation importing e-cigarettes into Thailand. These were allegedly being distributed to teenagers across the country.

 

After two months of investigation, officers discovered that the group involved frequently changed storage locations to evade detection, complicating efforts to intercept them, said Puttidech.

 

 

“The investigation took extensive efforts to finally pinpoint the operation’s current base in Bang Bon.”

 

With the new lead, the ECD secured a warrant from the Thonburi Criminal Court, allowing them to search the premises where Lee was eventually caught. The operation is part of a broader crackdown on illegal imports, which has become a growing concern for Thai police.

 

Upon arrest, Lee admitted to owning the e-cigarettes, which were seized as evidence. He and the confiscated items were subsequently handed over to Bang Bon Police Station for further legal proceedings. The police are determined to dismantle the network responsible for this illicit trade.

 

“Our commitment to stopping illegal imports is unwavering, and we will continue to pursue those who attempt to bypass the law.”

 

The smuggling of e-cigarettes into Thailand has been a persistent issue, with operators often exploiting loopholes and international shipping routes to transport these goods. The items are then sold primarily to younger demographics, raising public health concerns, reported KhaoSod.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-12-11

 

 

[hotchilli]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Police from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) made a significant breakthrough in Bangkok, seizing a large cache of illicit e-cigarettes smuggled from abroad.

Strange how these slip through customs?

[khunjeff]

23 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

These were allegedly being distributed to teenagers across the country.

 

A distribution network that only sells to teenagers. Uh huh. 

 

23 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

After two months of investigation, officers discovered that the group involved frequently changed storage locations to evade detection

 

They cleverly disguised their vape-selling operations as sidewalk tables openly selling vapes. Fiendish!