Samut prakan: The Customs Department recently executed a significant operation to combat the smuggling of cigarettes and e-cigarettes, destroying over 95 million confiscated items. These items, seized from closed cases, were valued at approximately 676 million baht. The destruction took place at the Bangpoo Industrial Estate, as part of the department's ongoing efforts to curb illegal activities related to tobacco products.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Panthong Loykulnan, Director-General of the Customs Department, joined forces with the Deputy Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau and the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Industrial Works to announce the results of this integrated crackdown. Recent investigations revealed that the e-cigarette trafficking network is increasingly targeting younger demographics by designing products with cartoon characters and bright colors, making them resemble children's toys. The authorities are now enhancing their efforts to intercept these products through all available channels, including border crossings, seaports, and postal packages.

The department emphasized that e-cigarettes are strictly prohibited from being imported and sold in Thailand. To protect the youth from these illegal products, the Customs Department will continue to strengthen its crackdown in collaboration with various sectors, ensuring these items are incinerated in closed furnaces according to international standards to prevent environmental harm.