Phony Cosmetics and Supplement Peddlers Arrested

September 5, 2012

Bankgok police raided two houses and seized 2 million THB worth of fake cosmetics, drugs and food supplements being peddled under brand names of well-known products. Police warned consumers that such products may be unsafe.

BANGKOK – September 4, 2012 [PDN]; the arrests of two people for selling fake consumer products was announced at the command unit of Subduing Infringement and Protecting Consumers by Pol. Maj. Gen. Niphon Charoenphol, the Commander; together with Pol. Col. Preutthiphong Prayoonsiri, Superintendent; and Pol. Lt. Col. Saichol Thimsin, Deputy Superintendent.

The two suspects are accused of smuggling and selling fake drugs, supplementary foods and cosmetics using the names of well -known hospitals and clinics such as Yanhee hospital, the Nitiphon Clinic, and Dr. Panya.

Police seized the illegal products, which included the traditional medicine brand Krekkoo, the supplementary food brands Beta-Curve, LIPO8, BB Maxx, Gluta 9000 and Suncara. Among the seized products was 1.5 million THB worth of face nourishment cream.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Niphon said the arrests resulted from information received by the command unit of Subduing Infringement and Protecting Consumers from the entrepreneurs who are the network of the project, “Police Who Take Care of the Community.”

After investigating, authorities found the smuggling of selling fake medicine, supplementary foods and cosmetics that used the name of a well-known hospital in the area of Bangchan, with products being delivered to customers all over Thailand.

After gathering evidence and obtaining a court warrant, police raided a house at 15/66 Nalin resident village, Hathairat road, Tambon Bangchan, Amphur Klongsamwa, Bangkok. The arrest and search warrant was issued from Minburi provincial court at 917/2555, dated August 31, 2012.

At the house, police arrested Mr. Surathach Yodya, age 41, the owner of the house, and seized all the illegal products.

Mr. Surathach is initially charged with selling fake food, and food with an incorrect label, according to the 1979 food year act.

He is also charged with selling fake medicine, and selling traditional medicine without permission, according to the 1967 drug year act.

He is also charged with selling cosmetics with incorrect labels and selling cosmetics that are unsafe for using, according to the 1992 cosmetics year act.

Police also arrested Mrs. Nathamon Nualchavee, age 37, at house number 124/333 Soi Revadee 24 Moo 4 Tambon Taladkwan, Amphur Muang, Nonthaburi province.

Police also seized a lot of unlicensed cosmetics products worth approximately 500,000 THB. Mrs. Nathamon is charged with selling cosmetics with incorrect labels.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Niphon said a lot of smugglers are currently selling fake medicine, supplementary food and cosmetics.

Consumers who have bought the fake products can notify the hot line at 1135 or by post office 459 Samsennai, Amphur Phayathai, Bangkok 10400. The police will coordinate with the Food and Drug Administration to follow up complaints.

Ms. Nisachol Sangkhapradit, the marketing manager of Nitiphon clinic, said consumers need to be wary of buying imitation medicines with the Dr. Nitiphon name. “We would like to inform consumers that we do not sell medicine in other places.”

Uninformed customers are taking dangerous risks by using such fake products, which may cause cancer by having too much chemical substances for ingredients, she said.

Consumers should check the product labels carefully for the address, production resource, date, month, year of production, Ms. Nisachol said. The product also must not contain mercury as an ingredient, she added.