Crime Arrest Warrants Issued for Former Bangkok Council Candidate in E-Cigarette Smuggling Case

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon

 

Authorities have issued arrest warrants for a former Bangkok city council candidate, his girlfriend and two associates in connection with a major illegal e-cigarette smuggling ring. The operation, uncovered during a major raid under “Operation Smoke Out 2”, seized more than 100,000 items with an estimated street value of 70 million baht.

 

The suspects are allegedly part of a large-scale network responsible for the import and distribution of banned electronic cigarettes and related products in the capital. The crackdown was led by the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s investigation teams in cooperation with officers from Police Division 9 and Phasi Charoen Police Station.

 

The Thonburi Criminal Court approved arrest warrants on 7 June for the following individuals:

 

1. Mr. Ittipon Laosuwatnakul, alias “Worm”, a former candidate for Bangkok’s Huai Khwang District Council representing the Thai Sang Thai Party (Warrant No. 583/2568).

 

2. Mr. Anusorn Kamsert (Warrant No. 582/2568).

 

3. Ms. Thanapha Chantharasi (Warrant No. 584/2568).

 

4. Ms. Thanittha Phattanapan (Warrant No. 585/2568).

 

Police executed raids on two key locations in the Thonburi area of Bangkok, including a condominium in Bukkhalo, where one of the rooms belonged to the former council candidate’s girlfriend. Authorities uncovered further evidence, including disposable e-cigarettes, vaping liquid, 500 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and multiple bank account records.

 

Three additional properties in the Suksawat area were searched, but the suspects remained at large.

 

Investigators believe Mr. Ittipon played a central role in the operation, acting as the key organiser behind the importation and distribution of the illegal merchandise. Evidence suggests this was one of the largest e-cigarette seizures in Thailand, with the first known shipment alone valued at around 90 million baht.

 

Police have contacted the Immigration Bureau and national security agencies to prevent the suspects from fleeing the country. So far, there is no record of any of the four having crossed the border, and authorities believe they are still hiding in Thailand.

 

All four suspects face charges of conspiring to smuggle prohibited goods under the 2017 Customs Act and relevant Ministry of Commerce notifications from 2014 and 2016, as well as Customs Department Notice No. 185/2564 concerning cross-border electronic customs procedures.

 

Police are continuing to track the suspects and are urging the public to report any information that may lead to their arrest.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-06-11