Excise Officers from Region 2, along with Phanat Nikhom police and other relevant agencies, intercepted a white pickup truck suspected of smuggling cigarettes and beer into Phanat Nikhom, Chonburi. According to police reports, excise officers had been monitoring reports of illicit goods entering the area and successfully located the vehicle, which was registered to a private company.
During inspection, authorities confiscated over 1,000 cartons of various brands of smuggled cigarettes and more than 50 boxes of beer. The driver of the truck and three passengers stated they were hired to transport the parcels from Chachoengsao to Phanat Nikhom, claiming ignorance of the goods’ illicit nature. Initial investigations indicated that the contraband originated from a neighboring country and was smuggled through Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo. Efforts are now underway to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the smuggling operation to ensure accountability for their actions.
The swift response by excise officers and police not only prevented a significant quantity of illegal goods from entering the market but also underscored the ongoing efforts to combat smuggling activities in the region. Further investigations are ongoing to unravel the full extent of the smuggling network.
Photo TPN
