He said the department opted to apply the fine in lieu of the prescribed penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment for illegally exporting human sperm.
Kreecha said the case is now settled in terms of Customs procedure, but the department is prepared to summon Nithinon again for further action should health officials uncover more information and seek its cooperation.
Nithinon, 25, was caught trying to smuggle six tubes of semen stored in a tank of frozen nitrogen across the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge checkpoint in Nong Khai province.