Customs Raids Illegal Food Warehouse, Seizes 15,000 Items Worth 3.5M Baht
Customs officers seized over 15,000 items worth 3.5 million baht from an illegal food warehouse in Nakhon Ratchasima that had been smuggling uncertified and expired goods for a decade.
On July 12, 2569, Nayaprasit Deejongjarun, Chief of Chong Chom Customs Post in Surin Province, announced a major enforcement operation called "The End of Luxury Food." Customs officers executed a search warrant from Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court at a large wholesale food import warehouse located on Suranaree Road in Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima city, which had operated for over 10 years. The operation uncovered extensive illegal activity involving tax evasion and distribution of substandard goods.
The chief explained that the raid resulted from government and customs policy aimed at protecting the public from counterfeit goods harmful to health, particularly in the Chong Chom Customs jurisdiction covering three lower northeastern provinces: Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin, and Buriram. Officials enhanced surveillance and gathered evidence leading to the search warrant and warehouse inspection, which revealed the operation conducted comprehensive distribution through wholesale, retail, online channels, and prepared ready-to-eat food sales.
Inspection of the single warehouse discovered over 15,000 items including canned food, condiments, snacks, alcoholic beverages, and other products valued at approximately 3.5 million baht in customs duties and merchandise value. Many items were smuggled in without customs clearance, lacked Thai FDA certification marks, and some were expired. Staff were actively repackaging goods for nationwide delivery when officers arrived.
Authorities impounded all seized goods for legal proceedings under economic law. The shop owner is expected to file settlement petitions following customs law procedures. The customs chief warned this case is extremely concerning because such goods reach consumers directly. The customs department will intensify anti-smuggling and substandard goods operations continuously to ensure fair competition for legitimate businesses and protect public safety in accordance with government policy.
Officials reminded business operators to conduct operations honestly and responsibly toward consumers, cautioning against prioritizing profit margins over public safety, as customs officers are actively monitoring and enforcing regulations across all jurisdictions.
