The operation was launched at 11:50pm on Wednesday (Nov 5), confirmed an official report of the raid.
The Phuket Provincial Administration received a complaint alleging that illegal vaping devices were being sold to youths outside the school in Moo 1, Cherng Talay.
A preliminary check confirmed the allegations, prompting the deployment of a Provincial Administration Special Operations Unit to carry out the arrest.
The raid team was led by Phuket Provincial Defense Officer Akkara Suwatthikul, supported by Defense Assistants Jiradej Burarak, Thongchai Rattanadet, Panjapong Boonchan, Hiran Heedchan, along with members of the Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor). Officers from Cherng Talay Police Station assisted.
Inside a rented room – an unregistered address – officers found an illegal e-cigarette shop in operation. A male vendor, not named in the official report, was taken into custody. Officers seized 60 e-cigarettes along with B6,520 in cash.
The suspect was charged with violating Sections 242 and 246 of the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017) and the Ministry of Commerce Announcement B.E. 2557 (2014) prohibiting the import of certain goods and with violating Consumer Protection Board Order No. 9/2558, which bans the sale or provision of e-cigarettes and hookah devices.
The man and the confiscated items were handed over to investigators at Cherng Talay Police Station for further legal action.
Authorities said the crackdown was part of ongoing efforts to curb the spread of illegal vaping products among minors.