Huge Smuggled Cigarette Cache Seized in Nakhon Ratchasima
Authorities in Nakhon Ratchasima seized over 75,000 smuggled cigarette packs worth 6.75 million baht, resulting in more than 4 million baht in lost tax revenue. The trafficking network members face prosecution under customs and excise tax l
Authorities announced the arrest of a major illegal cigarette trafficking network in central Nakhon Ratchasima, seizing over 75,000 cigarette packs representing a tax loss to the state of more than 4 million baht. Criminal charges will be filed against those responsible under customs and excise tax laws.
Excise Department Director Pornjai Teerawech appointed Acting Colonel Yongyut Phumiprathes, an excise tax strategy consultant, to represent the Excise Department at the news conference announcing the arrest of the large-scale tax-evading cigarette trafficking network in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The operation was conducted jointly with the Anti-Cigarette and Tobacco Products Center, the National Police Bureau's Central Investigation Bureau, and the Economic Crime Suppression Division.
The operation resulted from integrated inter-agency cooperation on investigation and suppression of illegal cigarette sales. Officers conducted a search of a residence in Muang Nakhon Ratchasima district and discovered 150 cartons of foreign cigarettes bearing no tax stamps, totaling 7,500 packages or 75,000 individual cigarettes valued at approximately 6.75 million baht. This caused the state to lose over 4 million baht in tax revenue. The offenders will be prosecuted under customs and excise tax laws.
The Excise Department, led by Sumet Rit Charoen, Director of the Inspection, Prevention and Suppression Bureau, and his team coordinated closely with police officers in conducting the investigation, search, and inspection of the seized goods. This effort aims to enforce measures preventing and suppressing smuggling of tax-evaded goods, protecting state interests, and ensuring fairness to legitimate businesses.
The Excise Department affirmed its commitment to continuing integrated cooperation with all sectors to prevent and suppress smuggling of tax-evaded goods, maintain the country's tax collection efficiency, reduce illegal trade, and build public confidence in those operating businesses lawfully. The department also appealed to the public to report information on excise tax violations to collectively protect the nation's interests sustainably.
