Counterfeit Cosmetics Haul: Two Warehouses Raided, 6 Million Baht Seized
Police raided two warehouses in Samut Prakan, seizing over 52,000 counterfeit cosmetic units worth 6 million baht being sold online at suspiciously low prices. Two suspects face charges under the Cosmetics Act for distributing fake local an
On September 17, Police General Kongkritch Lertsithikul, commissioner of the Consumer Protection Police Bureau, ordered an operation to search two warehouses in Bang Pli district, Samut Prakan province. The facilities were suspected of distributing counterfeit cosmetics—both local and foreign brands—through online platforms at suspiciously low prices. Most products were for facial and body use; if purchased by consumers, they could fail to deliver promised results or trigger allergic reactions and bodily harm.
At the first location, officers found 27-year-old Thanatchai. Police seized 92 cosmetic product lines totaling over 11,511 units, valued at approximately 2 million baht. At the second site, 34-year-old Jaruwan was found. Officers seized 25 product lines comprising over 40,984 units, estimated at 4 million baht. Combined, both raids yielded 117 product lines totaling 52,495 units worth over 6 million baht.
Investigation revealed both warehouses operated similarly: importing goods from abroad, storing them, and periodically relocating or changing shipping addresses to evade official inspections and ease distribution. The network advertised and sold goods through online shops with foreign-based customers, who would send purchase orders to the Thai warehouse managers for packing and delivery.
Initial findings suggest violations of the Cosmetics Act under the charge of selling counterfeit cosmetics, which carries a penalty of up to three months in jail and a fine not exceeding 30,000 baht, or both. The suspects are being forwarded to investigators for prosecution.
Police Colonel Natthasak Chaownasat, Crime Suppression Division commander, said the raid cut off a supply chain of substandard products before they reached consumers, protecting public health from counterfeit or non-standard goods. He urged the public to be cautious of unusually cheap items, especially those sold online, and to buy from authorized retailers or confirmed distributors. Consumers should carefully check packaging and registration numbers; if a price seems abnormally low, it may signal counterfeit goods that could contain harmful substances and damage health.
