A RAID on a distribution centre in Chonburi led to the seizure of 40,500 packs of contraband cigarettes valued at over 3.6 million with the fine reaching a whopping 38 million baht, PPTVHD36 said today (Aug. 16).
Mr. Pornchai Theeravech, director-general of the Excise Department, said the raid last Thursday (Aug. 13) was led by Lt. Col. Yongyuth Phumiprathet, adviser on excise tax strategy, with related agencies joining in.
Inspection of suspicious packages at this distribution centre led to the seizure of this big lot of contraband cigarettes. The seized cigarettes were handed over to investigating officers at Laem Chabang police station for further legal proceedings.
Suspects in this case are being charged with violating Excise Tax Act B.E. 2560 (2017). The estimated value of the thousands of packs of cigarettes is 3,645,000 baht, with approximate excise tax loss of 2,543,400 baht, and this leading to an estimated fine of 38,151,000 baht.
Pornchai said his department will continue to rigorously and consistently prevent and suppress the smuggling of cigarettes and other illegal goods, focusing on proactive inspections and intercepting the smuggling and sale of untaxed goods, and strictly enforcing the law against offenders.
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Top and Front Page: Contraband cigarettes found at a distribution centre in Chonburi.
Insert: Excise Department Director-General Pornchai Theeravech. Photos – PPTVHD36
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