Thailand's Underground Electronic Cigarette Factory Is Raided: 13 People Arrested, Case Value 3 Million Baht

On September 9th, Bangkok time, a hidden electronic cigarette factory was raided by the police. Previously, the police had seized a batch of electronic cigarette products. Through this investigation, they found this hidden factory.
Key information summary:
At around 3 a.m. on September 9th, the police conducted a surprise raid on a commercial building in Bang Khun Thian District, Samae Dam Area, Bangkok. They seized over 9,000 finished electronic cigarettes, 45,000 cartridges, 12,000 cigarette holders, and several production and packaging equipment. The total value of the case exceeded 3 million Thai baht.
Persons involved: 13 foreign nationals were arrested, including 2 Chinese managers and 11 illegal laborers from Myanmar.
Legal charges: suspected of smuggling, violating the Electronic Cigarette Ban Order of the Consumer Protection Committee, illegal employment, and illegal immigration.

Image source: News site restoration of the scene
00:30 Surrounding the commercial building; 01:00 ECD officers broke in with a court search warrant; 01:05 The production line did not stop, and the room was filled with the smell of oil; 01:15 Two Chinese men confirmed their identities on the spot: one was in charge of "product management" and the other was in charge of "quality inspection"; 01:30 11 Myanmar workers were controlled, none of them held a legal work permit.
Supply chain tracking
The police disclosed that this (factory) was the "upstream" of the electronic cigarette stockpile case in Prawet District.
Raw materials： smuggled into the country without customs declaration, "decomposed" and smuggled separately at the border for production： daily production capacity is approximately 3,000 cigarettes; Distribution： orders placed on the dark web + "acquaintances" in Bangkok nightclubs or universities for pickup; Funds： the alleged boss is believed to be staying abroad and remits 50,000 to 500,000 Thai baht as salary to the on-site supervisor each month.
Legal bottom line
Thailand's 2014 "Smoking Prohibition Law" completely bans electronic cigarettes： carrying into the country： a maximum fine of 100,000 Thai baht or 5 years in prison; production/sales： a maximum sentence of 10 years; illegal employment： a fine of 5,000 to 50,000 Thai baht and deportation.
Police warning
"Having an identity (foreigner's status) is not an exemption from punishment. Any involvement in electronic cigarettes is a serious crime. Next, the police are expanding the search of suspected warehouses in Bangkok and surrounding areas, and coordinating with relevant police to trace the behind-the-scenes funding chain. Remind everyone to abide by local laws and regulations, be cautious in investment, and do not cross the red line."