The raid, last Friday (May 29), followed complaints from nearby residents alleging the shop was selling illegal cigarettes.
District officials investigated the complaint and identified the shop, near the intersection of Amphur Rd and Srisuthat Rd, and obtained a search warrant from the Phuket Provincial Court.
A team led by Deputy District Chief Akkra Suwattikul, along with fellow deputy district chiefs and members of the Volunteer Defence Corps (OrSor), executed the warrant at a shop on Srisuthat Rd in Talad Yai.
During the search, officers found a 16-year-old girl operating the business and seized 378 packs of untaxed cigarettes, totalling 7,560 cigarettes.
The girl was charged with possession and sale of untaxed goods under the Excise Tax Act and offences under customs laws relating to the importation and handling of goods that had not undergone customs clearance.
She and the seized items were handed over to investigators at Phuket City Police Station for further legal action.
Officials confirmed that the girl’s mother was notified and was present during the arrest process in accordance with child protection procedures.