Key Points:
·The seizure of 22,920 smuggled e-cigarettes, valued at approximately 10 million Thai baht (about $310,000), occurred recently.
·The 41-year-old driver, arrested in connection with the smuggling operation, claimed to be unaware of the contents of the shipment as he was hired solely for transport.
·This marks the third such incident involving the driver. This is considered the largest e-cigarette smuggling case in the area in 2025, and authorities are now investigating the source of the illegal goods and those involved in the operation.
·The driver is facing charges for violating the 2017 Customs Act, with the possibility of the case becoming a major national investigation.
【2Firsts News Flash】According to Dailynews Online on July 9th, Thai highway police received intelligence indicating a vehicle transporting a large quantity of smuggled e-cigarettes was on the highway. The police deployed highway patrol cars, blocked the van from the front and back, and apprehended the driver.
An inspection revealed that the van was filled with 57 tightly packed boxes. Upon further inspection of the vehicle, various brands of e-cigarettes were discovered, totaling 22,920 units, with an estimated value of approximately 10 million Thai Baht (around 310,000 US dollars).
The police have disclosed that this operation is the largest e-cigarette case uncovered by the highway police in 2025. They will subsequently coordinate with relevant agencies to expand the scope of the investigation and trace the sources and individuals involved in all e-cigarettes. This case is expected to become a major national case.
According to Article 264 of the Thailand Customs Act of 2017, he is charged with aiding in the concealment, sale, removal, purchase, acceptance as collateral, or receiving in any way goods he knows have not been taxed, restricted or prohibited goods, goods entering the country without proper clearance, or goods brought into the country to evade tariffs, restrictions, or prohibitions related to such goods.
The police will launch an investigation and expand the scope of the investigation into the individuals involved.
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