Thai Customs officials have seized 30 boxes of One Piece trading card game products valued at more than 2 million baht (approximately RM260,000) after the shipment was allegedly brought into the country without undergoing proper customs clearance.
The seizure took place on May 31 at the Sadao border checkpoint in Songkhla province during a routine inspection by officers from Sadao Customs House.
According to the Customs Department, officers conducting surveillance for potential customs violations noticed several cardboard boxes abandoned near a fence gate on the arrivals side of the passenger terminal.
A subsequent inspection revealed the boxes contained 30 cartons of One Piece OP-16 trading card game products.
Authorities said no individual came forward to claim ownership or responsibility for the goods despite efforts to identify the owner.
As a result, customs officers seized the items on suspicion that they had been imported into Thailand without complying with required customs procedures.
The department stated that the case is being investigated under the Customs Act 2017 and other relevant legislation governing the importation of goods.
The trading cards have since been transferred to Sadao Customs House as evidence pending further legal action.
The One Piece Card Game has become one of the world’s most popular trading card franchises since its launch in Japan in 2022 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the hugely successful One Piece manga and anime series.
Created by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates as they search for the legendary treasure known as the One Piece.
Over the years, the franchise has expanded beyond manga and anime into films, video games, merchandise, a live-action Netflix adaptation and a highly sought-after trading card game.
The growing popularity of the card game has fuelled strong demand among collectors worldwide, with certain limited-edition and rare releases commanding significant prices on the secondary market.
The seizure comes amid increased efforts by Thai authorities to crack down on smuggling and customs violations at border crossings across the country.
Investigations are ongoing to determine who was responsible for importing the products and whether additional offences may have been committed.
