SATUN: Authorities in this southern border province have confiscated more than 50 million baht worth of foreign cigarettes in a campaign against smuggled, counterfeit and untaxed products.
A team led by customs officials found 2,000 boxes each containing multiple cartons of cigarettes of various brands at two locations on Thursday night after a tip-off. However, no arrests were made and the smugglers are still being sought.
All told, officials said there were 500,000 packets worth 52.9 million baht at retail. They had arrived on a cargo ship from Singapore that was moored in international waters, and smugglers loaded the contraband onto boats to take them to the two locations, according to Neramit Jintana, director for investigation and suppression attached to Region 4 Customs.
The first discovery was made near a mangrove forest in tambon Koh Sarai and the other near Moo 4 village in tambon Khuan Khan.
Mr Neramit said authorities were stepping up a crackdown on smuggled goods as demand for cigarettes was high during the New Year holiday period.
He said authorities were still looking for the smugglers of contraband items, who were believed to have recently moved to Satun.