Consumer Protection Police Division, FDA join forces to raid 3 warehouses of illegal Chinese mosquito repellent in Bangkok, find substances banned worldwide, confiscate evidence worth over 2.5 million baht Pol. Maj. Gen. Witthaya Sriprasertphap, Commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division, Pol. Col. Wiraphong Klaithong, Commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division 4, and Pharmacist Wirachai Nalawchai, Deputy Secretary-General of the Food and Drug Administration, along with relevant officials, jointly announced the closure of the storage and distribution of mosquito repellents used in electrical appliances from China. Three locations were searched and more than 7,300 items of evidence were seized, worth more than 2.5 million baht. Following the complaint from the FDA to investigate the sale of mosquito repellent products of electrical equipment without Thai labels and registration numbers via online shopping platforms, the mosquito repellent products were found to contain Meperfluthrin and Dimefluthrin, which are pyrethroids and are classified as Type 3 hazardous substances. The officers of the Consumer Protection Police Division 4 investigated and found that sellers on online platforms often advertise messages stating that they can be used by pregnant women, infants, and have no effect or harm to pets, which misleads the public into believing that they do not contain any dangerous chemicals. They are also cheaper than the market price, making them popular among the general public. Later, on September 13, police officers and FDA officers used a court search warrant to search warehouses and distribution points in three areas: 1. A storage and distribution location in the Phra Khanong district of Bangkok. They seized 2,213 boxes of mosquito repellent products for use with electrical appliances with Chinese labels in 45-milliliter boxes; 1,264 bottles of mosquito repellent products for use with electrical appliances in unpackaged bottles with Chinese labels in 45-milliliter boxes; 1,545 blue and green electrical plug heads for use with electrical mosquito repellent products; and 200 boxes of mosquito repellent products for use with electrical appliances with Chinese labels. The storage and distribution location is in the Bang Khae District, Bangkok. They seized 16 boxes of mosquito repellent products for use with electrical appliances with Chinese labels and a white baby symbol on their heads. 3. The storage and distribution location is in the Bang Khun Thian District, Bangkok. They seized 1,600 bottles of mosquito repellent products for use with electrical appliances with Chinese labels and a rabbit, 750 electrical plug heads used in assembling electric mosquito repellent products, and 20 bottles of Spray Green Prickly Ash brand insecticide spray without Thai labels. Further investigations revealed that all three locations imported products from China, then stored at various storage locations to await purchase orders and pack them for delivery to customers in Thailand. The investors were Chinese. As for the distribution method, the products were sold through various well-known online platforms, selling them at prices of 10-20 baht per bottle, while the import cost was only 5-8 baht per bottle. Pharmacist Wirachai stated that after purchasing all four types of products, they were tested for prohibited substances and found to contain Meperfluthrin and Dimefluthrin, which are pyrethroids. These substances are classified as Type 3 hazardous substances that Thailand has not yet approved for use, including in the United States and the European Union, and even in China. They are dangerous to both adults and children, and have long-term effects. Pol. Lt. Col. Wittaya said that from the investigation of the warehouse employees, it was found that the products sold on the online platform had customers interested in and ordered 2,000 pieces per month per warehouse. However, the police officers believe that there are warehouses in other locations, which are currently under investigation and further expansion. Th ey also believe that these products are distributed in areas where there are many Chinese people, such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, and Pathum Thani. Source: Thai News Agency
Saturday, September 21, 2024