PRIME Minister/Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul today (May 11) cut short his visit to Phuket and urgently flew to Ranong to inspect a warehouse where over 50 million baht worth of smuggled goods were found and seized, pointing out that there is no higher authority to clear this matter, Nawena newspaper said this evening.
Anutin cancelled his scheduled to visit to Freedom Beach, Karon subdistrict, Mueang Phuket district, after inspecting Bang Tao beach to check on encroachment of public land and quickly flew to Ranong. Those who were involved in raiding this warehouse and arresting the suspects had received mysterious phone calls urging them to abandon the operation and leave the premises quickly, claiming to know high-ranking police officers. There were also calls from Myanmar.
At 3.30 p.m., he reached the unnumbered warehouse of 168 Transport Logistics Co., Ltd., located on Road 4080, Bang Rin subdistrict, Mueang Ranong district, after the Command for Combating New Forms of Threats and Security and Suppressing Subversive Threats in 14 Southern Provinces received a tip from local residents that foreign nationals, specifically Myanmar citizens, were illegally storing smuggled goods there.
The agency then coordinated with the Subversive Threat Operations Unit, 25th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, and investigation officers from Mueang Ranong police station to seize the goods in the warehouse. Initially, it was suspected that the goods were smuggled without going through customs procedures.
A preliminary inspection revealed large power generation machinery used in factories and hotels, 2,000 air conditioners and heating devices, water pumps as well as other electrical appliances and general merchandise with the total value exceeding 50 million baht. The goods were seized, and relevant agencies were contacted to sort the items and investigate their origin.
The Prime Minister inspected the smuggled goods inside the warehouse and inquired if anyone knew the owner. Afterwards, he told the press that he rushed here upon hearing of a major seizure of smuggled goods because the government has a policy to crackdown on all forms of illegal activity and was shocked to see the big stockpile of goods believed to be untaxed.
The seized goods were declared as being in transit but appeared to have been stored here for over 30 days and according to regulations after this 30-day mark has passed they become state property.
However Anutin said he would give the owner an opportunity to present proof of tax payment and if taxes were paid correctly there would be no problem but if not legal action would be taken and investigation launched to trace the network behind this operation.
He also praised the officers who mounted this raid for their fearlessness and unwavering resolve while reassuring them that there was nothing to worry about.
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This and Front Page – Prime Minister/Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul inspecting the warehouse where over 50 million baht of smuggled goods were stored. Photos – Naewna
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