Smoke and mirrors: Thai duo busted for illegal e-cigarette sales
A police operation in the Huai Khwang district yesterday resulted in the arrest of a man and woman involved in selling electronic cigarettes illegally. Police Colonel Worawit Yanchinda led the operation, yesterday, February 24, resulting in significant seizures of the illicit goods.
Police officers, including Police Colonel Phitak Suthikul, Police Colonel Korakot Pochayawanich, and Police Colonel Denla Rattanakit, orchestrated the raid on a condominium in Huai Khwang.
They detained 31 year old Adithep and 27 year old Inthira, seizing 402 disposable e-cigarettes, 10 e-cigarette devices, and 1,600 e-cigarette liquid cartridges.
Investigations revealed that Adithep and Inthira had been selling these products online through a LINE group named Lay Hom Hom.
Additionally, Adithep, employed at a well-known entertainment venue, sold these products directly to customers. The police tracked their location, leading to the raid and subsequent arrest.
During questioning, Adithep confessed to selling e-cigarettes for over two years, earning approximately 20,000 baht monthly.
The duo face charges of violating product safety regulations, specifically the ban on producing or selling e-cigarettes and related products, reported KhaoSod.
They are also accused of concealing and distributing illegal goods, according to Section 246 of the Customs Act 2017. The case will proceed with further legal action by investigators.
In similar news, cyber police in collaboration with local police in Chumphon arrested a 20 year old Myanmar national for allegedly selling illegal e-cigarettes near a prominent school. She was reportedly hired by a local politician’s child and had previously faced similar charges last year.
The arrest involved multiple agencies, including Chumphon Provincial Investigation, Sawi Police Station, and other local bodies.
The suspect was apprehended with various items including 386 e-cigarette pods, 103 disposable e-cigarette pods, 58 bottles of e-cigarette liquid, 56 filter coils, one inhalation device, and an iPhone 13.
The investigation began after authorities discovered a Facebook account named Kukka Oi Oi illegally selling e-cigarettes. With evidence collected, they obtained a search warrant from Lang Suan Provincial Court.
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