Thai Authorities Detain 3 Chinese Nationals in Significant Vape Operation; Confiscate Illegal Goods
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Synopsis
In a significant operation, Thai police arrested three Chinese nationals in Pattaya for selling illegal vape products, with daily sales reaching 2 million baht. The crackdown included the seizure of various vaping items, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat smuggling and protect public health.
Key Takeaways
- Three Chinese nationals arrested in Pattaya.
- Daily sales of illegal vaping products reached 2 million baht.
- Seized items included e-cigarettes and zombie-vape liquid.
- Authorities are intensifying efforts against vape smuggling.
- Public encouraged to report illegal e-cigarette activities.
Bangkok, March 31 (NationPress) In a significant operation, the Thai police apprehended three Chinese individuals—a pair of men and one woman—during a covert sting in Pattaya. They confiscated vape pens and zombie-vape liquid. Reports indicate the suspects confessed to engaging in illicit activities with sales reaching 2 million Thai baht daily.
Patanasak Bupphasawan, the commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division of Thailand, revealed that the suspects acknowledged distributing around 1,000 e-cigarettes daily to tourists and young individuals. Each vape was sold for 2,000 baht, generating approximately 2 million baht in profits each day.
The arresting unit also confiscated roughly 100 grams of powdered etomidate anaesthetic, alongside e-cigarettes and mixing equipment for creating the anaesthetic and e-liquid to produce zombie-vape fluid. The total worth of the seized items amounted to 513,590 baht, as reported by the Bangkok Post.
Recently, Thai authorities conducted raids at 10 sites in Nonthaburi, seizing around 260,000 smuggled Chinese-made vape pipes and associated products valued at approximately 130 million baht.
Additionally, over 64,000 vaping products worth 12.6 million baht were confiscated last week in a crackdown coordinated by the Customs Department, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), and the Royal Thai Police (RTP).
Theeraj Athanavanich, the director-general of the Customs Department, stated that these products were seized during an inspection of eight unclaimed shipping containers at Laem Chabang port in Chon Buri, Thailand.
In total, 64,397 e-cigarette products, including both disposable and refillable types, were seized as part of ongoing investigations into smuggling, particularly concerning prohibited goods like vaping products.
Recently, the Prime Minister's office of Thailand announced cash incentives for citizens reporting e-cigarette usage in an effort to counter the growing trend of vaping and address public health issues.
Individuals whose tips lead to arrests may receive 60 percent of the fine imposed, with additional incentives for related government officials, according to the office.
Those apprehended for selling or possessing e-cigarettes with the intent to distribute could face up to five years in prison and fines of up to four times the value of the confiscated goods.
Smugglers risk a sentence of up to 10 years and fines reaching five times the value of the smuggled goods.
Informants are encouraged to provide photographic evidence when submitting complaints, which can be done anonymously, the PM’s Office confirmed.
