The operation was carried out on Tuesday (Dec 9) by the Special Operations Unit of Investigation Bureau Region 8 (Phuket Unit).
The team was led by Pol Lt Apirat Yanarat, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) at Investigation Division 1, under Investigation Bureau Region 8.
Police arrested Maksim Shalygin, a Russian national, inside a room at Soi Hua Tiao, Cherng Talay. Officers seized 361 illegal items, including 296 pieces of hookah tobacco and 65 items of hookah smoking equipment and related accessories.
Authorities said the suspect was charged with multiple offences, including possession of unstamped tobacco for sale in violation of the Tobacco Act B.E. 2509 (1966), and offences under the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017) and related Ministry of Commerce regulations designating hookahs, electric hookahs and e-cigarette products as prohibited goods.
He was also charged with importing and selling prohibited hookah and e-cigarette products in violation of orders issued by the Consumer Protection Committee, which ban the production, sale and servicing of hookah and e-cigarette products in Thailand.
Shalygin was handed over to investigating officers at Cherng Talay Police Station for further legal proceedings.