PATTANI, Thailand – Authorities seized more than 2.45 million illegal cigarettes, three handguns, and 18.76 million baht in cash during a recent raid on a residence in Yarang district, Pattani province.
According to the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 4 Forward Command, the search at a house in Krado subdistrict involved police, military personnel, administrative officials, the Customs Department, and the Central Institute of Forensic Science under the Ministry of Justice. A man identified only as Masata, whose surname was withheld, presented himself as the property owner. Three other people were inside at the time.
Officials reported finding approximately 2,452,680 illegal cigarettes, three handguns with ammunition, and 18,759,000 baht in cash. The evidence was subsequently handed over to Yarang Police Station for legal proceedings. Investigators are expanding their inquiry to identify other individuals and networks suspected of involvement in smuggling and the illegal importation of untaxed goods. ISOC Region 4 Forward Command will continue operations against narcotics, illicit trade, and other security threats in Thailand’s southern border provinces. (NNT)
