Bangkok Police Bust Youths Running Illicit Tobacco and Kratom Syrup Business

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of CIB

 

Bangkok police have raided an unregistered commercial building in Thonburi, where a group of young men were illegally selling smuggled cigarettes and brewing kratom syrup mixed with cough medicine for sale to local youths.

 

The operation was led by Pol. Maj. Gen. Thasphoom Jaruprach, Commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECCD), who ordered Pol. Col. Narupol Karuna and Pol. Lt. Col. Wannalop Rattanawong to carry out the raid with a warrant from the Thonburi Criminal Court.

 

 

Officers searched the property on Soi Inthraphitak 3, Bang Yi Ruea, Thonburi District, and arrested three suspects:

 

• Mr. Chultharap, 23

 

• Mr. Kittisak, 22

 

• Mr. Thanathip, 20 (Surnames withheld)

 

Authorities seized 2,800 packs of smuggled foreign cigarettes, 1,930 bottles of cough syrup, 30 bottles of kratom syrup, fresh kratom leaves, and brewing equipment.

 

During questioning, the suspects admitted to smuggling the cigarettes to sell at lower prices than the market rate. They also sold kratom syrup mixed with cough medicine for 80-100 baht per bottle, earning an estimated 10,000 baht.

 

Most of their customers were local teenagers who arrived on motorcycles, with multiple buyers visiting daily. To avoid detection, the gang kept the doors closed at all times, allowing sales only through a small door hatch.

 

The three suspects were charged with:

 

• Violating customs laws – aiding in the possession, sale, or transport of untaxed goods that had not cleared customs.

 

• Breaching the Food Act (1979) – selling unauthorised and potentially hazardous substances.

 

They were taken to the ECCD for further legal action, while the seized goods were sent for further investigation.

 

The operation was conducted under the supervision of Pol. Lt. Gen. Jiraphop Phuridech, Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), alongside Pol. Maj. Gen. Thasphoom Jaruprach and Pol. Col. Narupol Karuna.

 

The Bangkok police reaffirmed their commitment to clamping down on illicit trade, particularly operations targeting young people. Further crackdowns on smuggled goods and illegal substances are expected in the coming months.

 

-- 2025-03-19