On November 14th, the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Metro Police in Bekasi City, Indonesia, raided a house in the Kavling Corulus area, Kampung Sawah, Jatimurni, Jatisampurna. The location had been covertly operating as a large-scale counterfeit detergent and laundry soap manufacturing facility for several months.
According to authorities, the syndicate produced cleaning agents bearing the logos of well-known brands, which were then distributed through online sales channels. Initial reports indicate the operation generated over 1 billion IDR (approximately $67,000 USD) in just three months, highlighting the alarming demand for counterfeit household products.
The raid was executed following numerous complaints from locals about the proliferation of fake cleaning products in the area. At the time of the raid, dozens of workers were actively involved in mixing, packaging, and preparing the counterfeit goods for online distribution. Police arrested a woman identified by the initials ROH, believed to be the ringleader and owner of the facility.
Senior Commissioner Kusumo Wahyu Bintoro, Chief of Bekasi City Police, stated that the illegal operation had been active for an extended period, causing significant harm to consumers. “After receiving community reports, our investigative team took action and dismantled the counterfeit soap and detergent production facility. The owner has been detained for further investigation,” Bintoro said.
According to Bintoro, the perpetrator admitted to manufacturing and distributing counterfeit cleaning products mimicking popular brands. All products were packaged in fake wrappers, nearly identical to those of authentic products.
At the scene, police seized hundreds of plastic containers filled with pre-mixed cleaning agents, production machinery, and a large quantity of counterfeit packaging ready for market distribution. All items have been sealed as evidence for the ongoing investigation.
Locally, Kuswanto, Head of RT 04/01 Jatimurni, expressed shock at the discovery. “We were under the impression that the house was being used as a silk-screen printing facility. No one suspected it was a hub for counterfeit detergent production. It was only when the police raided the premises that the truth came to light,” he said.
Bekasi Police announced that the investigation is ongoing, with efforts focused on tracing distribution networks and raw material sources. Authorities also urged consumers to remain vigilant against unusually low-priced cleaning products.
