Tobacco smuggling: Thai task force apprehends smuggler in 2 million baht contraband case

In a determined pursuit, Thailand’s anti-smuggling task force apprehended a significant fugitive from the south involved in a tobacco smuggling case. The arrest came after they confiscated 19 crates of smuggled cigarettes worth approximately 2 million baht.

Police Major General Montri Thetkhan yesterday led the operation along with the team, intercepting a 43 years old suspect named Tiwa, implicated in a court case filed in December by the Satun Province court.

Excerpts from the court verdict highlight that Tiwa stands accused of colluding in the concealment, warehousing and distribution of contraband goods that were illicitly imported into the kingdom without passing custom formalities. The arrest occurred outside a residential compound situated in Tha Champee Subdistrict, Mueang Phayao District, Phayao Province.

The knack for detail in the tobacco smuggling investigation originated from an incident in 2018 when officers seized an operation that smuggled counterfeit cigarettes. In the course of this enforcement, they successfully captured two suspects and confiscated 19 crates of counterfeit cigarettes with an approximate market value exceeding 2 million baht.

The arrest and subsequent interrogation in Thung Wa District, Satun Province disclosed that all the confiscated goods were ordered and procured via Tew, who was identified as a major agent in the southern region reported KhaoSod.

Following this revelation, relevant pieces of evidence were gathered and a warrant of arrest was issued by the court. Intelligence later revealed that Tiwa took refuge in Phayao Province, leading to his successful capture in the case of tobacco smuggling. Upon interrogation, Tiwa initially denied all the allegations. As per protocol, he was later transferred to Satun provincial court to undergo further legal proceedings.

Illegal smuggling has been creating waves in Thailand. In recent news, three Thais were arrested in 100 million baht heroin smuggling that was intended to be transported to Australia. Read more HERE.

To tackle smuggling, Thailand is ramping up their efforts to strengthen the oversight of agricultural product imports. Read more HERE.