Smuggled Pet Food Worth 13M Baht Seized in Samut Sakhon
Authorities raided a warehouse in Samut Sakhon and seized over 70 types of smuggled dog and cat food worth more than 13 million baht. The imported products from China lacked required licenses and registration. The operator faces charges under the Animal Feed Quality Control Act with penalties up to five years in prison.
The ACD launched an urgent operation following public complaints, obtaining a search warrant and joining the Phaya Thai special task force, the Animal Feed and Drug Control Division, and the Quarantine Division of the Department of Livestock Development. Officers made undercover purchases before presenting the Samut Sakhon Provincial Court warrant to raid a large warehouse in the Phan Thae Norasing area. They discovered large quantities of well-known imported dog and cat food brands hidden on site, none of which had production or sales licenses or proper registration. Officials seized 70 items valued at over 13 million baht and handed the case to investigators at the Kok Kham Provincial Police Station in Samut Sakhon for violations of the Animal Feed Quality Control Act.
Mr. Sarawut Nungjamnong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, in his capacity as Commander of the Joint Operations Center for Agricultural and Food Security (ACD), disclosed that the Center has intensified measures to sweep and suppress illegal agricultural and livestock products, in line with the policy of Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, to protect consumer safety and pet welfare nationwide. Recently, the Center received public complaints about the illegal sale of pet food in Samut Sakhon Province, prompting an urgent order to Deputy Commander Mr. Sanansan Wirikulsunthorn and the Phaya Thai special task force, along with the Animal Feed and Drug Control Division and the Quarantine Division of the Department of Livestock Development, to investigate and suppress the operation immediately.
Officers conducted field investigations and undercover purchases until clear evidence emerged that the premises were illegally producing and selling pet food without a license. They then obtained a search warrant from the Samut Sakhon Provincial Court and raided an unnamed warehouse in Tambon Phan Thae Norasing, Mueang Samut Sakhon District, Samut Sakhon Province.
The ACD Commander further revealed that the search of the large warehouse uncovered a vast quantity of stored goods. Detailed inspection revealed dog and cat food classified as controlled animal feed, imported from abroad under several famous brands. When officers requested documentation, no license to produce pet food for sale from the Department of Livestock Development was found, nor had any of the products been registered as controlled animal feed as required by law. Officials charged the offender under the Animal Feed Quality Control Act B.E. 2558, Section 15: producing pet food for sale without a license, punishable under Section 74 by up to three years' imprisonment, a fine up to 60,000 baht, or both; and Section 56(4) paragraph one: producing for sale or importing for sale controlled animal feed without registration, punishable under Section 86 paragraph one by one to five years' imprisonment, a fine of 20,000 to 100,000 baht, or both.
Regarding all seized items, officials impounded a total of 70 controlled animal feed items valued at over 13 million baht at the scene, and also seized two samples per item as evidence for prosecution. Witnesses and evidence were submitted to investigators at the Kok Kham Provincial Police Station in Samut Sakhon for strict legal proceedings.
The ACD and the Department of Livestock Development warn all pet food operators and sellers to strictly comply with legal procedures. Importing or producing pet food without a license and without registration risks legal penalties.
