The Consumer Protection Police Bureau coordinated with the Food and Drug Administration to raid a Chinese-funded warehouse, seizing over 100,000 illegal contact lenses and cosmetic products valued at 4.7 million baht. These items were sold through online platforms for more than three years, with daily sales of 3,000 pieces.
On 18 Sep, Pol. Lt. Gen. Nattasak Chaowanachai, Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, ordered Pol. Maj. Gen. Kongkrit Lertsithikul, Commander of the Consumer Protection Police Bureau, Pol. Col. Weeraphong Klai Thong, Superintendent of Division 4, and Pol. Lt. Col. Anusara Buadeng, Inspector of Division 4, to lead a joint operation with officials from the Food and Drug Administration to raid a warehouse in Bang Pla Subdistrict, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province. The site was suspected of storing and distributing illegal contact lenses and cosmetics through online platforms.
This raid resulted from surveillance by Division 4 of the Consumer Protection Police Bureau and FDA officials monitoring the sale of substandard health products, especially online. Investigations found an online shop advertising unauthorized contact lenses at suspiciously low prices, leading to further inquiry that identified the storage and distribution location.
These products, if manufactured without proper standards and unknown origins, pose risks when used on the eyes, potentially impairing function and causing infections. Evidence was gathered to obtain a search warrant from the Samut Prakan Provincial Court to conduct the inspection.
During the search, officers found Mr. Chen, a Chinese national, who identified himself as the site supervisor. They seized 117,839 unregistered medical devices of the contact lens category; 592 unregistered drug products classified as vitamins; and 14,289 cosmetic products without registration numbers or Thai labels, including skin care, hair care, body cleansing, facial decoration, and lip decoration products. In total, 132,720 items valued at over 4,736,930 baht were confiscated as evidence.
During questioning, Mr. Chen admitted all products were imported from China, intended for packaging and distribution to online buyers in Thailand. The operation had been ongoing for more than three years, with daily sales of approximately 3,000 pieces. Authorities initially charged him with selling medical devices without proper registration, selling drugs without a license, selling unregistered drugs, selling unregistered cosmetics, and selling cosmetics without Thai labels. He was detained along with the seized goods and handed over to Division 4 of the Consumer Protection Police Bureau for further prosecution.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Nattasak urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing health products, especially medical devices. Buyers should choose reputable pharmacies, medical equipment stores, or trusted retailers and verify authorization through the FDA website before purchase. Contact lenses, which are used directly on the eyes, pose particular risks if their origin, manufacturing standards, or storage processes are unknown, potentially causing allergic reactions or infections that affect eye health. He also warned those illegally selling unauthorized medical products to cease immediately, as strict legal action will follow if detected. The public is encouraged to report offenses via the Consumer Protection Police Bureau hotline 1135 or the bureau's consumer alert Facebook page.