UPDATE: Three arrested as Phuket authorities seize more than B600,000 in illegal cigarettes
A joint Phuket operation on 6 August raided three shops, arrested three people and seized foreign cigarettes valued at more than B600,000.
Phuket authorities arrested three people and seized foreign cigarettes with an estimated street value of more than B600,000 during a raid on three shops suspected of selling untaxed tobacco products.
The operation was carried out at 7pm on Thursday, 6 August 2026, by a joint team from the Phuket Provincial Administration, Mueang Phuket District Office, Thalang District Office and Phuket City Police. Officers used court-issued search warrants to search two shops in Mueang Phuket District and one in Thalang District.
A large quantity of foreign cigarettes was seized, along with other evidence related to the alleged illegal sales. A warrant was also issued for another individual believed to be involved.
According to the official report, the suspects face charges under the Excise Tax Act B.E. 2560 (2017) for possessing goods for sale that had not been taxed or had not been fully taxed. They also face charges under the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017) for concealing, selling or receiving goods known to have entered the country without proper customs clearance.
The arrested suspects and seized items were handed to investigators at Phuket City Police Station and Tha Chatchai Police Station for prosecution. The exact locations of the shops and the identities of those arrested were not identified in the official report. The operation was part of a government crackdown on smuggling, tax evasion and the sale of untaxed goods.
