Phuket raid seizes 188,444 smuggled cigarettes
Officials seized 188,444 cigarettes worth more than B900,000 and arrested a shop owner during a Phuket raid on 29 August 2026.
Officials in Phuket seized 188,444 cigarettes worth more than B900,000 and arrested a shop owner during a raid on 29 August 2026.
The operation was carried out at about 5:35pm by the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) Phuket and officers from Chalong Police Station, who inspected a shop suspected of selling smuggled cigarettes. The seizure comprised 938 cartons containing 9,860 packs of various brands.
The unnamed shop owner and the seized goods were handed to investigating officers at Chalong Police Station for legal proceedings. The suspect faces initial charges under the Excise Act (2017) for possessing and selling goods on which tax had not been paid, or had not been paid in full.
The suspect was also charged under Section 246, paragraph one, in conjunction with Section 242 of the Customs Act (2017), over the alleged concealment, sale, transport, purchase, pawning or receipt of goods that the person should have known were smuggled.
The operation was overseen by Mueang Phuket District Chief Siwat Rawangkul and involved the Phuket Provincial Administration Special Operations Unit, Mueang Phuket District officials, members of the Volunteer Defense Corps and Chalong police. Authorities said the crackdown formed part of government and Ministry of Interior policy to suppress illegal activities and tax-evading goods while ensuring fair competition for legal businesses.
