Cyber Police Combat Transnational Illegal Cigarette Trade

MGR Online•Society•21d ago

Reader Briefing

The Royal Thai Police's Cyber Police have arrested over 151 suspects and seized assets worth 140 million baht in an operation against e-cigarettes and illegal cigarettes.

•The Cyber Police arrested over 151 suspects and seized goods valued at over 140 million baht.
•Thousands of illegal websites were blocked to disrupt online sales and logistics networks.
•Authorities are targeting 'Toy-Nocence' marketing and drug-laced e-cigarettes like 'Pod K' and 'Zombie Pods'.
•The Royal Thai Police ordered provincial police to arrest at least one illegal URL case per month with turnover exceeding 10 million baht.

Overview

•The Cyber Police conducted an operation to block online networks and logistics used for transnational e-cigarettes and illegal cigarettes.
•The operation resulted in the arrest of over 151 suspects and the seizure of goods worth over 140 million baht.
•Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat Deepor highlighted the 'Toy-Nocence' strategy where e-cigarettes are disguised as toys or stationery to attract children.
•Some e-cigarettes are mixed with narcotics such as ketamine, referred to as 'Pod K' or 'Zombie Pods', for distribution in entertainment venues.
•The Royal Thai Police established 'Cyber Patrols' to monitor closed groups on Line, Telegram, and Facebook.
•The Royal Thai Police are collaborating with private logistics companies to implement Know Your Customer (KYC) measures to prevent anonymous shipping.
•The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is the authority responsible for requesting court orders to block websites under the Computer-Related Crime Act.
•Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat Deepor proposed implementing a mandatory 'Digital Vaccine' or digital literacy curriculum in schools to protect youth from online threats.

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Key Quotes

Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat Deepor

"The government must continue strict control and serious suppression because tax-evading cigarettes are illegal goods that cause loss to the country."

ภาครัฐก็ยังต้องควบคุมอย่างเข้มงวดและปราบปรามอย่างจริงจัง เพราะบุหรี่มวนเลี่ยงภาษีเป็นสินค้าผิดกฎหมายที่สร้างความสูญเสียให้ประเทศ

Key Entities

Person

Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat Deepor(พล.ต.ต.ศิริวัฒน์ ดีพอ)

Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police and Commander of the Technology Crime Investigation Division 1.

Organization

Royal Thai Police(สำนักงานตำรวจแห่งชาติ)ℹ️

The national police agency coordinating the crackdown on illegal cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau(กองบัญชาการตำรวจสืบสวนสอบสวนอาชญากรรมทางเทคโนโลยี)

The agency that established 'Cyber Patrols' to monitor illegal online sales.

Customs Department(กรมศุลกากร)

An agency collaborating with the Royal Thai Police to suppress illegal cigarette smuggling.

Office of the Consumer Protection Board(สคบ.)

An agency collaborating with the Royal Thai Police to suppress illegal cigarette smuggling.

Excise Department(กรมสรรพสามิต)ℹ️

An agency collaborating with the Royal Thai Police to suppress illegal cigarette smuggling.

Ministry of Digital Economy and Society(กระทรวงดิจิทัลเพื่อเศรษฐกิจและสังคม)ℹ️

The ministry responsible for requesting court orders to block illegal websites.

Information Technology Crime Suppression Center(ศูนย์ปราบปรามอาชญากรรมทางเทคโนโลยีสารสนเทศ)

The center that ordered provincial police to report monthly arrests of illegal URLs.

Law

Computer-Related Crime Act(พระราชบัญญัติว่าด้วยการกระทำความผิดเกี่ยวกับคอมพิวเตอร์)

The law used under Section 20 to block websites advertising or selling illegal cigarettes.

Emergency Decree on Measures for Prevention and Suppression of Technology Crimes(พระราชกำหนดมาตรการป้องกันและปราบปรามอาชญากรรมทางเทคโนโลยี)

A decree used to compel platform providers to delete data or suspend illegal accounts.

Place

Bangkok(กรุงเทพมหานคร)ℹ️

One of the areas where large warehouses for illegal goods were raided.