Phuket Airport Customs have intercepted a massive haul of illegal cigarettes worth more than 71 million baht in what is being hailed as one of the island’s largest-ever anti-smuggling operations.

The seizure, confirmed by customs officials, involved a total of 9.57 million contraband cigarettes and was made as part of a national crackdown targeting violations of customs and intellectual property laws. The operation falls under the Customs Department’s wider directive to safeguard public health, protect legal businesses, and uphold Thailand’s economic stability.

Officials revealed that the illegal shipment posed a dual threat, not only risking consumers’ health through unregulated tobacco products, but also causing significant economic damage. Officials estimate that the smuggled goods could have resulted in a loss of more than 71 million baht in potential tax revenue and retail value.

https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/nearly-10-million-smuggled-cigarettes-seized-in-phuket-sting