Thai authorities seize thousands of counterfeit food products in a recent raid
On August 15, Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau of Economic Crime (CIB) announced a successful crackdown on a ring producing and distributing counterfeit soy sauce, coffee, and other food items in Bangkok and Pathum Thani province. The operation resulted in the seizure of 75,635 fake products bearing renowned brand names, intended for the consumer market.
Led by Major General Jiraphop Phuridet, Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, Major General Thatsaphoom Charuprat, Commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, and Colonel Phuwathet Chulkasewi, Director of the 1st Division of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, authorities raided three locations simultaneously: a row of one-story rental rooms on Chalerm Phrakiat Rama 9 Soi 30 in Prawet district, Bangkok; a house in Rangsit, Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani province; and another house in Bueng Nam Rak, Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani province.
The investigation expanded after authorities uncovered a large volume of counterfeit soy sauce being sold at Lào Market in Bang Pakong. The perpetrators would transport goods in trucks early every week and distribute them to vendors, misleading consumers into believing they were purchasing genuine products.
Images of the seized counterfeit products and production facilities
The investigation identified two key female suspects, one Thai and one Laotian. During the raids, authorities seized 530 bottles of counterfeit soy sauce and coffee that were already packaged and labeled as “Made in Thailand” with fake barcodes and information to deceive purchasers.
Notably, in Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani province, officials uncovered an underground production facility with a well-organized setup, including production rooms, raw material storage, and packaging areas. Four 5,000-liter tanks of raw materials used for mixing and processing counterfeit products were seized from this location.
According to the CIB, apart from damaging the reputation of legitimate brands, these fake products pose a severe health risk due to the unknown origin of raw materials and uncontrolled production processes.
In total, this operation led to the confiscation of 75,635 items, including soy sauce, coffee, and various food products. Additionally, machinery and equipment used for mixing, packaging, and labeling were also seized for further investigation.
The CIB will continue its extensive investigation, targeting the entire network from production to transportation and distribution, to eradicate this counterfeit operation. They also urge consumers to be vigilant when shopping, especially when encountering popular consumer goods with unusually low prices or unclear origins.
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