Smuggled cigarettes seized in parcel inspection at Rawai Post Office
Phuket officials seized 2,000 packs of smuggled cigarettes from suspicious parcels inspected at Rawai Post Office and said the investigation is continuing.
Officials in Phuket seized eight boxes containing 200 cartons of smuggled cigarettes during an inspection at the Rawai Post Office on orders from Phuket Governor Chotinrin Kerdsum.
The operation took place at about 1:30pm and involved officers from the Phuket Provincial Administration, the Phuket Internal Security Operations Command, Chalong Police and the Phuket Area Excise Office. The joint team inspected suspicious parcels at the post office and found 2,000 packs of smuggled cigarettes.
The cigarettes were seized as evidence and a formal seizure report was prepared before the goods were handed over to Chalong Police Station for further legal action.
Officials said the investigation is now focused on identifying the people responsible for ordering the shipment and uncovering the wider smuggling network behind the illegal trade.
Phuket authorities said they will continue coordinated enforcement operations against the smuggling and sale of illegal goods across the province. They said the crackdown is intended to protect consumers, support fair competition for legitimate businesses and safeguard government tax revenue.
In a separate case, Wichit Police said they arrested two people in raids on two illegal shops and seized smuggled foreign cigarettes after complaints that untaxed cigarettes were being sold, including to minors.
