Bangkok: The operation is a network that smuggles cigarettes via tour boats, with a person with initials B. as the controller and distributes the products to local shops, including the shop of a person who goes by the nickname 'Sergeant Waen', and transports through a private company. The illegal cigarettes are sold online and on LINE OpenChat, which has a large number of followers. Some of the sales locations have been converted into small shops, with secret passages for escape and avoiding inspection by the authorities.
According to Thai News Agency, from the search, a large amount of illegal cigarettes were found as evidence. The initial damage to the state was estimated at over 4 million baht. Three offenders were arrested and charged with four offenses under the Customs Act: 1. Possession of goods for which taxes were not paid or taxes were not paid in full; 2. Selling or having for sale goods for which taxes were not paid or taxes were not paid in full; 3. Importing or moving goods that have not been cleared by customs without permission; 4. Assisting in the concealment, sale or receipt of goods related to offenses under Sections 242 and 246 of the Customs Act.
Mr. Ronnarong Thipsiri, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, said that the Department of Provincial Administration will seriously crack down on illegal cigarette trade because the purchase of illegal cigarettes not only causes the state to lose tax revenue, but also poses a serious danger to the health of consumers, especially counterfeit cigarettes that do not meet production standards and may contain high levels of hazardous substances.