Thai authorities, in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have launched a major crackdown on a counterfeit cough syrup production and distribution network in Bangkok and Pathum Thani. The operation led to the seizure of over 170,000 bottles of fake cough syrup, along with raw materials, production equipment, and other evidence. The total value of the seized items is estimated at over 20 million baht (approximately $580,000).
The operation was spearheaded by Police Lieutenant Colonel Peera Phanthuwong, Director of Sub-Division 4, Consumer Protection Police Division. The primary objective was to dismantle a network producing counterfeit cough syrup, which teenagers were abusing by mixing with kratom water and antihistamines to create a highly addictive concoction known as “4×100.” This mixture is considered a gateway to more dangerous substances.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate frequently changed production and storage locations to evade authorities. After gathering sufficient evidence, law enforcement obtained a court warrant to arrest a 34-year-old woman accused of manufacturing counterfeit drugs and producing prescription medications without a license.
During the raid, police searched five key locations:
- A warehouse in Lad Lum Kaeo District, Pathum Thani, where 36,400 bottles of counterfeit “Datissin” cough syrup, 3,200 unlabeled bottles, over 123,000 empty plastic bottles, and various labels and production equipment were seized.
- Another facility in Lad Lum Kaeo containing 16 types of chemicals, 375 kg of white sugar, five cooking pots, two 2,000-liter tanks, 11 large gas cylinders, and numerous packaging and labeling machines.
- A house in Soi Kamnan Maen 12, Chom Thong District, Bangkok, where an additional 5,750 completed counterfeit bottles were found.
- Rooms in the Rama 2 area, Bangkok, where bank account books, mobile phones, passports, money counters, and transaction records were confiscated.
- A warehouse in Lam Luk Ka District, Pathum Thani, housing over 100 storage tanks, filling machines, capping machines, and hundreds of other production tools.
In total, over 170,000 bottles of counterfeit cough syrup were seized, including more than 40,000 labeled “Datissin” and 120,000 empty bottles awaiting packaging. The facilities were estimated to produce approximately 30,000 bottles daily, valued at nearly 1.5 million baht ($43,000) per day, and had been operating for at least two months before the raid.
Police noted the syndicate’s sophisticated tactics, including dispersing production, packaging, and distribution activities across multiple locations. This network had been previously dismantled between 2014 and 2015 but resurfaced despite posing significant public health risks.
This incident underscores the persistent issue of counterfeit pharmaceuticals in Thailand, endangering consumers and causing severe societal consequences. Authorities have pledged to expand investigations and apprehend remaining suspects.
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