Major Crackdown on E-Cigarette Crimes: 8 Suspects Arrested and Large Quantity of Evidence Seized

Thai police authorities launched a major operation against an illicit e-cigarette production and distribution center, leading to the arrest of 8 suspects and the seizure of a large quantity of evidence, including ready-made e-cigarettes, liquids, production equipment, and precursors. The operation, led by Pol Maj Gen Chotiwat Luengwilai, Commander of Investigation Division, Metropolitan Police Bureau, began with a search warrant issued for two houses in Bangkok and a house in the Ram Intra area. During the search, officers arrested 5 initial suspects, including Chinese nationals Mr. Suphanat and Mr. Jinming Xie, on charges of violating the Consumer Protection Board's order.

Key Takeaways:

• 8 suspects were arrested in total, including 5 initial suspects and 3 more suspects found in a later search of two houses in the Tha Raeng Subdistrict, Bang Khen District, Bangkok.
• Over 10,000 disposable e-cigarettes and more than 6,250 boxes for packaging pods were confiscated from the initial search locations.
• A large quantity of evidence, including equipment for packaging goods, mobile phones, laptop computers, and bottled chemicals containing narcotics, was seized.
• The investigation expanded to find that e-cigarette liquid produced by the suspects contained narcotics, leading to further legal action.
• All suspects were charged with violating the Consumer Protection Board's order and concealing, helping to sell, or receiving prohibited goods.
• The operation was considered a major crackdown on e-cigarette crimes by the Metropolitan Police Bureau, highlighting the danger of narcotics mixed in e-cigarette liquids to consumers' health.

Statistics:

• 8 suspects were arrested in total.
• Over 10,000 disposable e-cigarettes were confiscated.
• More than 6,250 boxes for packaging pods were seized.
• 30 grams of white granular chemicals containing narcotics were found.
• 50 disposable e-cigarettes were found at one of the search locations.
• 20,000 e-cigarette liquid cartridges were found in over 50 boxes.

Sources:

• Thai News Agency
• Metropolitan Police Bureau
• Consumer Protection Board's Order No. 9/2558
• Section 246 of the Customs Act B.E. 2560