Pattaya Crackdown: Suspects Nabbed in Late-Night Vape Bust

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Pictures courtesy of The Pattaya News

 

In a decisive action against the illicit vape trade, Pattaya City Police arrested three individuals in a rigorous operation late last night. Following a tip-off, enforcement officers launched a well-coordinated sting operation around 11.36pm on March 17, leading to the seizure of seven fruit-flavoured vapes.

 

Utilising an undercover agent, the police orchestrated a meeting with the suspects via Facebook, disguising as a potential buyer of disposable vapes. The suspects – 31-year-old Jakarin, 41-year-old Teerapat, and 23-year-old Natsuda – arranged to meet the agent by Pattaya Beach, barely steps from the police station, to conduct their transaction.

 

 

 

At the meetup, each vape was sold for 350 baht, a seemingly ordinary deal that soon revealed its illegal nature. Upon completion of the exchange, police officers swiftly arrested the trio, confiscating the prohibited goods. The suspects later admitted to their roles in the operation, revealing that they profited 100 baht per unit by purchasing and reselling the vapes.

 

This bust forms part of a broader crackdown by Thai authorities tackling the growing problem of illegal e-cigarette sales. With the suspects now facing charges, police are determined to follow the trail further, aiming to dismantle larger supply networks fueling the trade. This operation signifies a strong stance in Thailand's continuous campaign to curb unauthorised vape sales nationwide, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-18