Police Raid Warehouse, Seize Counterfeit Contact Lenses and Cosmetics
Police seized 132,720 counterfeit contact lenses, cosmetics, and vitamins worth 4.74 million baht from a Samut Prakan warehouse run by a Chinese national who had been illegally importing and distributing unregistered health products online
On September 18, 2025, the Police Drug Suppression Bureau and Food and Drug Administration conducted a search at a warehouse in Bang Pla subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, following an investigation into substandard health products being sold through online platforms. Authorities discovered one online vendor suspiciously undercutting market prices on contact lenses, which led to the warehouse discovery.
The raid resulted in the seizure of 132,720 items valued at approximately 4.74 million baht, comprising 117,839 unregistered contact lenses, 592 unregistered vitamins, and 14,289 cosmetics products lacking proper registration and Thai-language labeling.
During interrogation, a Chinese national identified as the facility manager admitted that all products were imported from China and stored at the warehouse for packaging and distribution to Thai customers. He stated the operation had been running for approximately three years with average daily sales of around 3,000 units.
The suspect faces charges including selling medical devices without notification, selling unlicensed medicines, selling unregistered pharmaceutical products, and selling unregistered cosmetics. He was transferred to the Police Drug Suppression Bureau for legal proceedings.
Suphatra Bunserm, Secretary of the Food and Drug Administration Committee, emphasized the agency's responsibility to oversee health products throughout their lifecycle, from authorization to market surveillance across both physical and online channels. She warned that purchasing from unreliable sources or based solely on low prices risks obtaining unchecked products that endanger consumer health. She particularly highlighted the risks of counterfeit contact lenses, which contact eyes directly and require strict quality control.
Police urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing health products, especially medical devices, by shopping at licensed pharmacies and medical supply stores. Consumers are advised to verify product authorization through the Food and Drug Administration website before purchase. Contact lenses in particular pose risks if their origin, manufacturing standards, and storage conditions are unknown, potentially causing allergic reactions, infections, and eye damage.
