Illegal cigarette network dismantled, 42 million baht fines issued
Smuggling ring exposed as police crack down on black market tobacco trade
The Economic Crime Suppression Division, in collaboration with the Excise Department, dismantled a major international illegal cigarette trafficking network.
Two Cambodian nationals, 35 year old Chiva Chuoy and 35 year old Nak Khoeun, were apprehended with 50,000 packs of illegal cigarettes, facing fines of up to 42 million baht (US$1.28 million).
Yesterday, May 6, at 1.30pm, Police Major General Thasaphum Charupraphan, Police Colonel Wijak Taram, Police Colonel Jakkrit Seribut, Deputy Commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division, Police Colonel Naruephon Karuna, and Sumeth Ritchan, Director of the Inspection and Suppression Bureau of the Excise Department, announced the arrests.
The suspects face charges of concealing or selling goods that have not passed customs procedures and possessing untaxed goods. The arrests occurred in a commercial building in Bueng Cham O subdistrict, Nong Suea district, Pathum Thani province, with the confiscation of 102 boxes of various brands of illegal cigarettes.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Thasaphum revealed that prior arrests of small-scale illegal cigarette traders in Bangkok and Samut Prakan province led police to trace and discover that these cigarettes were smuggled from neighbouring countries, primarily via the southern and eastern borders.
The investigation linked the supply to major Cambodian dealers selling through online platforms, with a warehouse in Pathum Thani serving as a storage and packaging site.
When sufficient information was gathered, undercover agents posed as VIP customers, making significant orders to arrange a large pick-up at the warehouse in Nong Suea District. Upon arrival at the meeting point, the suspects, Chiva Chuoy and Nak Khoeun, were present outside the warehouse.
Police requested to enter, prompting the suspects to attempt an escape. However, surveillance officers were positioned outside and successfully apprehended them. A search of the warehouse uncovered a large quantity of illegal cigarettes, including counterfeit Thai Krong Thip brand cigarettes, a first-time find in such operations.
During the investigation, both suspects confessed to their involvement in smuggling and selling illegal cigarettes with the aid of Cambodian relatives. They smuggled the goods across the border through natural channels in Khlong Hat district, Sa Kaeo province, concealing them with fruit trucks before storing them in the warehouse for packing and distribution.
Nak Khoeun managed the customer-facing page, while Chiva Chuoy ordered cigarettes from relatives in Cambodia, earning a profit of 20 to 50 baht (US$0.9 to 1.5) per carton over the past two years.
Sumeth Ritchan stated that preliminary investigations revealed over 50,000 packs of illegal cigarettes had been seized, amounting to a tax value exceeding 3 million baht (US$91,600). Under the Excise Act, the offenders face fines of approximately 42 million baht (US$1.28 million), reported KhaoSod.
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