Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

By Bright Choomanee

 

Police in Buriram have apprehended wholesalers and small retail shops involved in selling illicit cigarettes with counterfeit excise stamps, imported illegally from China, causing a 42 million baht (US$1.2 million) loss to the state. On January 22, officials from the Excise Department’s regional and local branches, alongside the Central Investigation Bureau, conducted operations in Pakham district and Mueang Buriram district to seize contraband cigarettes.

 

Investigations revealed that the seized cigarettes were smuggled from abroad, avoiding excise duty, and sold in retail stores. During a raid, officials uncovered 151 packs of cigarettes concealed within a small shop.

 

 

This led to further probes into a wholesale supplier in Pakham district, where an additional 51,000 contraband cigarette packs were confiscated, reported KhaoSod.

 

All seized cigarettes have been held as evidence, and the individuals involved have been transferred to investigators for further legal proceedings. Charges include importing goods without proper and complete tax payment under Section 186, possession of untaxed goods under Section 203, and possession for sale of untaxed goods under Section 204.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-01-23

 

 

So Bht 42M divided by (51000 + 151) makes Bht 821 LOST PER PACK.

I guess it really means CARTONS as opposed to packs, but the poor Government only loses the TAX & DUTY on those fags, not the total value.

But it sounds good for the Police!

I wonder how the cigarettes get through customs checks at the border?

On 1/23/2025 at 10:19 PM, hotchilli said:

I wonder how the cigarettes get through customs checks at the border?

 

I don't wan'to know.