Police seize illegal vaping devices worth 2m baht in Bangkok raid

Police apprehended a woman and confiscated illegal vaping and heated tobacco devices valued at approximately 2 million baht during a raid at a condominium in Bangkok.

The woman, 30 year old Panarak Kwangsawat, was detained in a condominium room on Sathu Pradit Soi 19 in Yan Nawa district yesterday, confirmed Police Major General Withaya Sriprasertparp, commander of the police consumer protection division.

Officers from the police consumer protection unit initiated their investigation after receiving a tip-off about the illicit operation two months ago. During the arrest, officers discovered 25,352 devices used for vaping and heated tobacco in the room occupied by the suspect.

According to Pol. Maj. Gen. Withaya, the suspect stored the products in the condominium, processed online orders, and coordinated deliveries through couriers.

The woman reportedly informed police that she was hired to pack the products for shipment and that most customers resided in Bangkok, reported Bangkok Post.

In related news, allowing your little ones to puff away on e-cigarettes or even just breathing in that vapour at home might land you in hot water, warned a government official. Child health and rights experts are sounding the alarm, warning that such actions could be a serious breach of child protection laws.

Sapphasit Khumpraphan, a member of the National Child Protection Committee, called for a major push in public campaigns to spotlight the perils of vaping and second-hand vapour.

In other news, Thai police dismantled a major online vaping operation, seizing over 24,000 items from a townhouse in Din Daeng, Bangkok. Officers described it as the largest bust of its kind this year.

The raid, conducted on August 6 at 1pm, was led by high-ranking officials, including Nirandon Lueamsri, Deputy Commissioner of Police, and Thanakrit Jittareerat, Assistant to the Minister of Public Health. They announced the arrest of individuals involved in the illegal sale of electronic cigarettes via online platforms.