Thai authorities seize 883,000 items of illegal Chinese e-cigarettes

On December 8th, the Commander-in-Chief of the Bureau of Suppression of Criminal Activities, Jiraphop Puridet, along with Colonel Thammaphon Chao Kamphaeng of Police Division 2, announced the results of a raid on two Chinese electronic cigarette warehouses in Lat Krabang, Bangkok. A total of 883,000 items worth 139 million baht were seized and destroyed.

According to Pol. Lt. Gen. Jirapob, electronic cigarettes are now posing significant dangers and impacts on consumers. Officials have found widespread smuggling and sales of e-cigarettes on various online platforms, making it easier for people to purchase them. In addition, e-cigarettes are listed as prohibited products for importation into the country, and contain nicotine and propylene glycol, a carcinogen. Therefore, authorities are taking stern action to crack down and arrest those involved in the illegal trade.

Major General Jirapob continued to explain that even the arresting team investigated this matter at two warehouses in Klong Song Ton Nun street, Phatthana Rural Road 3, Salaya district of Bangkok, where electronic cigarette devices were stored and awaiting customers' orders. The first warehouse yielded a seizure of 6,000 electronic cigarette devices, 750,000 electronic cigarette cartridges, and 75,000 bottled e-liquids. The second warehouse yielded a seizure of 22,000 electronic cigarette cartridges and 32,000 bottles of e-liquid. The total value of these seizures is estimated to be around 139 million Thai baht. The authorities have announced charges under the 2560 law, and are preparing to send the media reports regarding the detention of the two warehouse managers. Additionally, they aim to expand their arrests to include the masterminds behind the operation, in accordance with the law.

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