Vape escape: Thai ATP’s contraband crackdown sparks cloud of justice in Ayutthaya
The bustling province of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was the scene of a significant crackdown on illegal goods on November 8. Thai Anti Trafficking In Persons (ATP) officers swooped in on a private distribution centre in Bang Pa-in, seizing a massive haul of E-cigarettes, E-liquids, and associated equipment. This operation led to the confiscation of 60,500 units of contraband, with the total value of the seized goods exceeding 10 million baht.
This significant seizure was the result of a tip-off from an anonymous informant, who alerted ATP authorities to the illegal operation. The informant had specifically reported the smuggling and distribution of contraband E-cigarettes, E-liquids, and corresponding equipment from foreign sources to the private distribution centre in question.
Responding swiftly to this tip-off, ATP officers engaged with the proprietors of the distribution centre to organise an inspection of the alleged contraband. The search operation revealed 29 boxes brimming with disputed items, including the aforementioned E-cigarettes and E-liquids. The total worth of these contraband items surpassed the hefty sum of 10 million baht, reported Pattaya News.
“The relevant officers then asked for cooperation from the private distribution centre to inspect the alleged goods.”
In related news, 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. Read more about this story HERE.
In other news, in July last year, customs and excise chiefs revealed they would be handing out fines of 37 million baht after seizing contraband worth about 6 million baht on the Cambodian border.
Excise officials, soldiers, and police captured almost 39,000 packs of various foreign cigarettes near a canal on the Cambodian border in the Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo. They were discovered in 49 sacks alongside a canal behind the Phan Suek border village. Read more about this story HERE.
