Unveiling a grand crackdown against an illicit operation, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) recently nabbed a counterfeit mosquito repellent manufacturer entrenched in Samut Sakhon. The scam didn’t just stop at production, it further had its tentacles spread across three distribution points in three separate provinces. The unlawful and hazardous products surfaced just today, and a massive haul of 227,000 boxes, valued at 4.54 million baht, was confiscated.
The CIB was drawn to the investigation by the bizarre selling of two unregistered Chinese mosquito repellent brands in retail stores and across social media platforms. Notably, these brands were devoid of any Thai labelling or production identifiers, thus hoodwinking the customers into believing they were stepping into a safe buy, greatly due to the crafty usage of a baby’s image on the packaging. Additionally, the products were offered at a price significantly low than the regular market rates, further luring the unsuspecting public into the trap.
The disturbing revelations of the investigation were yet to be fully discovered. Upon rigorous testing, it was unearthed that the forged mosquito repellent products were a concoction of lethal chemicals belonging to the Pyrethroids group. These included dangerous substances such as Meperfluthrin and Dimefluthrin. These chemicals are notorious for their acute toxicity to humans and animals alike. Exposure, particularly in excess, can lead to an array of health complications like dizziness, severe headaches, vomiting, and even intense muscle spasms. In critical cases, it could further escalate to inducing lethargy, seizures, or even unconsciousness.
In a shocking confession, the factory owner admitted to sourcing black-coloured mosquito coils from China, treating them with real, yet illegal, mosquito-repellent chemicals. The problem didn’t just stop at unauthorized sourcing, for these mosquito coils were further bundled in boxes and circulated for nationwide sale. Clearly, the chemicals that they were redecorated with were prohibited for import and production.
In a similar admission, three retailers confirmed sourcing these counterfeit mosquito repellents from anonymous Chinese and Thai individuals. They were purchasing these boxes at a measly 12 baht and selling them to the general public at a mark up price of 18 to 20 baht each, as per a report by KhaoSod.
The seized goods, currently in the clutches of the authorities, are in for further scrutiny under the established Hazardous Substances Act 1992. The perpetrators are likely to face severe charges, with the factory owner particularly at risk for possession and production of dangerous substances without required permissions and the manufacturing unregistered hazardous substances without lawful authorities. The fate of the three retailers also hangs in thick uncertainty as charges of possesing dangerous substances are being considered for them.
A few months back, in a similar incident, the police had stormed in three warehouses following an air pollution complaint. In the course of the operation, substantial electronic waste was discovered at these sites. Delving deeper, they discovered that two among these were being illegally managed by Chinese nationals. Further details can be accessed HERE.
For the latest update on such enlightening stories and more, make sure you stay tuned and follow Thaiger’s Facebook page HERE.
Be First to Comment