Samut Sakhon Raid Nets 13 Million Baht Illegal Pet Food
Thai authorities raided a warehouse in Samut Sakhon and seized 70 varieties of unlicensed, unregistered imported dog and cat food worth over 13 million baht. The operator faces charges under the Animal Feed Quality Control Act for illegal production and importation, with penalties including imprisonment and fines. Officials warn that such products may contain harmful substances and urge the public to report suspicious pet food sales via the DLD 4.0 app.
The Agricultural and Food Security Operations Center raided a large warehouse and seized imported dog and cat food lacking licenses and registration, totaling 70 items valued at over 13 million baht. Mr. Sarawut Neungchamnong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and commander of the center, disclosed that the center has intensified crackdowns on illegal agricultural and livestock products per Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit's policy to protect consumer safety and pet welfare. Following public complaints about illegal pet food sales in Samut Sakhon, he ordered Deputy Commander Mr. Saranyasat Wirakulsunthorn and the Special Phayathai Task Force, comprising the Bureau of Animal Feed and Drug Control and the Bureau of Quarantine and Inspection of the Department of Livestock Development, to investigate urgently. Officers conducted undercover purchases and gathered evidence of unlicensed production and sales, then obtained a search warrant from Samut Sakhon Provincial Court for an unnamed warehouse in Phan Thai Norasing Subdistrict, Mueang Samut Sakhon District. The raid uncovered large stocks of controlled pet food from well-known foreign brands. No manufacturing license from the Department of Livestock Development was found, and none of the products had undergone required registration. Officials charged the operator under the Animal Feed Quality Control Act B.E. 2558: Section 15 for unlicensed production for sale (punishable by up to three years imprisonment or a 60,000 baht fine, or both) and Section 56(4) for producing or importing controlled feed without registration (punishable by one to five years imprisonment or a 20,000–100,000 baht fine, or all). All 70 controlled feed items, worth over 13 million baht, were seized on site, with two samples per item retained as evidence. The case was forwarded to Kok Kham Police Station in Samut Sakhon for prosecution. The center and the Department of Livestock Development warn all pet food operators and sellers to strictly follow legal procedures, as unlicensed and unregistered imports or production risk contamination with chemicals or toxins endangering pet health and lives. The public can report violations 24/7 via the DLD 4.0 application.
