Crime Bangkok Police Bust Illegal E-Cigarette Operation, Seize Thousands of Items & Arrest Five

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of SiamNews.

 

Metropolitan Police have dismantled an illegal production and distribution network for e-cigarettes in the capital, arresting five suspects and seizing a vast quantity of contraband, including vaping devices, chemical ingredients and equipment. Some of the seized substances were found to contain illegal narcotics.

 

The operation was led under the direction of Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, along with senior officers including Pol. Maj. Gen. Pallop Aermla, Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasin Poolsawat, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Chotiwat Lueangwilai, Chief of the Bureau’s Investigation Division.

 

The initial phase of the operation was coordinated by Pol. Lt. Col. Chanon Banpakarn, Deputy Superintendent of Intelligence and Special Tools, who obtained search warrants from both the Criminal Court and Min Buri Criminal Court. Officers raided two residential properties: one on Soi Prasert Manukit 37 in Nuanchan, Bueng Kum District and another in the Casa Ville housing estate on Ram Intra – Outer Ring Road in Tharang, Bang Khen District.

 

Two suspects were arrested at these locations and charged with violating a Consumer Protection Board order (Order No. 9/2015) prohibiting the sale of disposable e-cigarettes and refill liquids, and with concealing, trafficking or possessing goods known to be prohibited under Section 246 of the 2017 Customs Act.

 

Among the items seized were over 10,000 disposable e-cigarettes, 6,250 empty vape pod boxes, mobile phones, laptops and various packing tools.

 

The investigation then expanded to a production facility in the Watcharaphon area. Police from Investigation Subdivision 2, led by Pol. Col. Sitthisak Nakamat, raided two homes in the City Sense housing estate in Bang Khen district, resulting in the arrest of three additional suspects.

 

This second raid uncovered a fully equipped illicit vape liquid manufacturing site. Items seized included mixing equipment, white crystalline chemicals (30 grams), fog-producing liquid, flavouring agents, glycerine, vape pod pressing machines, empty cartridges, and over 20,000 boxes for vape pod heads. Officers also seized 50 disposable e-cigarettes and completed vape liquids ready for sale.

 

Preliminary forensic analysis revealed that some of the vape liquids contained illegal narcotic substances known locally as “pot-k,” raising concerns over public health and consumer safety.

 

All five suspects face the same charges related to breaching consumer protection laws and customs violations. In addition, police have launched a further investigation into the production of narcotics-laced e-liquids, which may result in additional serious charges.

 

The suspects have been transferred to Khok Khram Metropolitan Police Station for formal legal proceedings. Authorities described the raid as a significant crackdown on the illegal e-cigarette trade in Bangkok, particularly due to the discovery of dangerous chemical additives in products intended for public consumption.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from SiamNews 2025-06-21