Authorities Seize 2 Tons Of Smuggled Orange Concentrate From China
Customs officials in Bangkok seized 2 tons of smuggled orange concentrate from China being illegally processed into juice drinks without FDA approval. The company director admitted to the operation and now faces charges carrying up to 5 yea
On July 8, 2569, officials from the Customs Department, acting on intelligence regarding smuggled orange concentrate from China, conducted a raid on a company and unlicensed warehouse located in Soi Onnuch 66, Prawet district, Bangkok. The imported product had bypassed customs procedures and lacked approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before being used as raw material for packaged juice drinks sold to the public.
During the search, authorities seized 112 cases of imported canned orange concentrate—672 cans total weighing 2,016 kilograms. They also found multiple sizes of juice bottles produced from the concentrate, along with empty cans used in production, all confiscated as evidence for further investigation and document review.
When the company director, Ms. Lampai, arrived at the scene, she admitted to producing and selling the orange juice from the imported concentrate. She revealed the operation produced juice at night and delivered products during the day according to customer orders. However, she could not provide customs clearance documents or FDA approval certificates.
Authorities initially charged her with complicity in concealing and distributing goods she knew to be proceeds of an offense under Section 246 of the Customs Act, which carries a penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine equal to four times the product's value plus duties, or both. She was detained and turned over to investigators for further legal proceedings.
