Police Dismantle Major Online Vaping Network Warehouse in Prawet District, Arrest Gang and Seize Over 200,000 Units

At 10:30 AM on May 8, 2025, Deputy Police General Nirandr Leumshri, director of the E-Cigarette and Tobacco Product Crime Prevention and Suppression Center under the Royal Thai Police, coordinated with officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau's Technology Crime Division, Udom Suk Police Station, and Customs Department officials to inspect an e-cigarette storage warehouse on Sukhaphiphat 2 Soi 3 in Prawet District, Bangkok. Following the raid on this major underground e-cigarette distribution network, authorities discovered over 200,000 e-cigarette units and related equipment, three vehicles, and arrested nine suspects—two Thai nationals named Charan and Charun, and seven Lao nationals. Two of the Lao suspects were found to be connected to money mule accounts used to receive payment transfers from e-cigarette sales.

One suspect claimed to have previously worked as a security guard before a friend recruited him to work at the warehouse for 500 baht per day. He alleged he was unaware the warehouse stored e-cigarettes or that the products were illegal until authorities conducted the raid. His duties involved monitoring the warehouse, checking surveillance camera feeds, receiving notifications of delivery trucks, and controlling access. Other warehouse workers earned the same 500 baht daily wage packaging and shipping products to customers.

This arrest followed an investigation expansion from an earlier condominium raid in the Sukhumvit area, where authorities found a Thai male operating an online e-cigarette shop network. His mobile phone contained chat records of e-cigarette sales to customers through LINE ID "Heaven." The condo unit yielded approximately 500 e-cigarettes, ten packaging boxes each containing roughly 100 units prepared for shipment. Investigators discovered the network packed goods overnight and shipped during early morning hours to evade police inspections, keeping the warehouse closed during daytime to avoid detection.

Authorities also discovered new-model e-cigarettes capable of delivering up to 20,000 puffs, priced at hundreds of baht each—exceeding standard models with approximately 10,000 puffs. Investigators found numerous vape cartridges at risk of being mixed with etomidate, creating dangerous "zombie pods" or "zombie cigarettes" posing serious health threats to users' nervous and respiratory systems.

The deputy police commissioner stated that investigations are ongoing to track the network's owner, believed to be Thai, who may face money laundering charges. Authorities are coordinating with relevant agencies to enhance enforcement measures against illegal e-cigarette smuggling across borders.

Dr. Chaiyanun Sithipusit, acting chief medical officer and director of the Tobacco Product Control Committee, noted that this seizure represents a major shipment. Had these products reached the market, they would significantly harm public health. Officials also found evidence of continuous product development designed to increase health dangers.