Cyber police raided two homes in Bang Khae, arresting a man and a woman major dealers of e-cigarettes. They seized 50,000 items valued at over 10 million baht, along with 4.8 million baht in cash. The suspects confessed.
On 10 Jul, Pol. Lt. Gen. Niran Lueamsri, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police and head of the Center for Suppression of E-Cigarette Offenses, together with Pol. Maj. Gen. Sarayut Junnawat, Commander of the Cyber Crime Division 2, Pol. Col. Sompol Jaidee, Deputy Commander of Cyber Crime Division 2, Pol. Col. Khajorn Abthong, Deputy Commander of Cyber Crime Division 2, Pol. Col. Pakornkit Thanawarinukul, Chief of Investigation Unit 3, Cyber Crime Division 2, and the investigation team executed simultaneous search warrants at two targets related to e-cigarette offenses in Bang Khae, Bangkok.
The first search was conducted by the investigation team with Central Customs Court warrant No. 296/2569 at a house in Soi Phetkasem 63, Lak Song Subdistrict, Bang Khae District, Bangkok. The second search, with warrant No. 297/2569, was at another house in the same area.
The searches led to the arrest of Ms. Sumaporn Laikra, 40, and her boyfriend Mr. Peeraphon Boonket, 28. Authorities seized 4.8 million baht in cash, e-cigarette pod devices, various brands and flavors of e-cigarettes and e-liquids, including disposable types and refillable pods, totaling more than 50,000 items valued over 10 million baht.
The investigation began when Cyber Crime Division 2 arrested minor dealers and expanded the probe. They identified Ms. Sumaporn and Mr. Peeraphon as major agents with large e-cigarette stockpiles in Bang Khae. After gathering evidence, they obtained search warrants and arrested the suspects along with all seized items.
Pol. Gen. Niran said the operation aligns with the policy of Minister Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, and Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanpetch, Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, to rigorously suppress illegal e-cigarette sales. Cyber police conducted raids at two locations belonging to the same group: one was a storage and packing site for customer orders, the other the suspects’ residence where large amounts of cash and e-cigarettes were found.
During questioning, the suspects admitted that part of the e-cigarettes were smuggled from neighboring countries, while some were domestically produced and previously seized. The cash was used to finance the e-cigarette trade. This case involves major dealers operating in inner Bangkok, notably near large educational institutions and residential communities, key targets for the National Police’s Center for Prevention and Suppression of E-Cigarette and Tobacco Product Offenses. Further investigations will target additional dealers.
Police charged the suspects with offenses including aiding the concealment, sale, transport, purchase, or receipt of goods not cleared through customs, and violations under the Consumer Protection Act (No. 4) B.E. 2562 (2019) prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or provision of “baraku, electronic baraku or e-cigarettes, or related substances,” offenses under Sections 29/9 paragraph 2 and 56/4. They were taken into custody with seized items for legal proceedings.