Nonthaburi: The Prime Minister leads a statement on the raid on the country’s largest e-cigarette den. The Prime Minister led a press conference on the arrest of the country’s No. 1 e-cigarette operator after the Metropolitan Police launched Operation Smoke, searching 10 locations and finding evidence worth nearly 130 million baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Metropolitan Police raided the country’s largest e-cigarette den, searching 10 locations and finding over 260,000 items of evidence worth almost 130 million baht. Initially, 2 suspects were arrested, who were warehouse managers. It is believed that all locations belong to the same owner and are still in Thailand.
Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister, Ms. Jiraporn Sindhuphrai, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, police officers, and administrative officers led forces to search and seize e-cigarettes at 10 locations in Nonthaburi Province. They were able to seize evidence of e-cigarette equipment such as ready-to-use pods, pod heads, and additive liquids, totaling more than 260,000 pieces, worth more than 130 million baht.
From the search of all 10 locations throughout Nonthaburi, 5 warehouses were rented out and 5 were houses. Two people involved were found, who were warehouse caretakers. They confessed that they received 20,000 baht per month in compensation. Previously, the police made an online purchase and followed up for 8 months. From the investigation, all the evidence was found to have been smuggled in via Laem Chabang Port from China for sale in Thailand. The products were delivered according to orders to individuals who placed orders online and were distributed to agents throughout the country, in all 4 regions, totaling more than 100 stores. The search found only warehouse caretakers. The warehouse owners are being monitored, but it is believed that all 10 are owned by the same owner. Initially, the officers suspect that there is only one owner, a Thai man, who is currently still in the country.
The reporter asked about the warehouse being located near Bang Bua Thong Police Station. Is it possible that the police were involved to make it harder to arrest? The Prime Minister said that the police already have information for investigation. They will definitely expand the investigation. If it is found that an officer has committed an offense, they will be prosecuted decisively. At present, the government has talked with the Ministry of Education to educate students about the dangers of e-cigarettes and drugs in order to reduce sales in areas near educational institutions.
Smuggling e-cigarettes is considered an offense based on jointly selling or providing e-cigarettes and refills, which is a violation of the Consumer Protection Act, jointly helping to hide or help sell goods imported into the Kingdom without going through customs procedures, and jointly importing e-hookers or e-cigarettes, which are prohibited goods imported into the Kingdom according to the announcement of the Ministry of Commerce, and the money laundering charges of the Anti-Money Laundering Office will be applied together.
This arrest is considered a major raid because the value is higher than any previous arrests. Currently, the investigation is being expanded to track down the masterminds to bring them to justice.
