Police raid sprawling e-cigarette distribution hub in Bangkok

Police raided a sprawling e-cigarette distribution hub near Bangkok.

Police General Nirundorn Luamsri, assistant national police chief, led a raid on a warehouse in Samut Prakan, Thailand, on April 28.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau Investigation Division and Provincial Police Region 1 seized more than 20,000 e-cigarettes and related devices, estimated to exceed 200 million baht.

The police chief said the the major distribution hub was dismantled after investigators discovered that the products were being sold through a website called 'Shisha Chic'.

He said: ‘The Royal Thai Police will carry out this type of operation across all areas simultaneously to suppress e-cigarette networks.

‘This includes arresting major distributors, online sellers, and those operating physical storefronts in various locations.

‘The objective is to prevent children and young people from accessing e-cigarettes and to disrupt distribution networks in line with government policy.'

Seven suspects were arrested and charged with 'jointly selling e-cigarette products and distributing goods that had entered the country without passing customs procedures'.

Those detained were employees responsible for packaging orders and arranging deliveries through shipping companies using vans on a daily basis.

Officers also seized from the warehouse large quantities of stock prepared for online sales.

Computer records reportedly showed that more than 1,000 items were sold and delivered each day, with daily turnover reaching several million baht.

Authorities said investigations will be expanded to locate the suspected mastermind and other individuals involved, adding legal action will be taken under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Vaping has been banned in Thailand since 2014, despite the products being easily purchased in the country.

Those caught vaping or even just possessing a vape could result in a fine of up to 30,000 THB, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.