Bureau of Consumer Protection Crime of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) collaborated with officials from the Department of Agriculture to seize 144,200 liters of hazardous glyphosate substance, valued at approximately 17 million baht, as evidence in legal proceedings

Bureau of Consumer Protection Crime of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) collaborated with officials from the Department of Agriculture to seize 144,200 liters of hazardous glyphosate substance, valued at approximately 17 million baht, as evidence in legal proceedings

On December 22, 2023, the Department of Special Investigation would like to report on the operations of the Consumer Protection Bureau, under the supervision of Police Major Yutthana Praedam, Deputy Director General, Acting Director General, Department of Special Investigation, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Phayao Thongsen, Deputy Director General. They assigned Police Lieutenant Colonel Anurak Rojananirankit, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection Crime, along with his officers, to work in coordination with the Department of Agriculture. They executed search warrants on three locations to seek evidence, documents, and computer data related to the illegal activities of Rainbow AgroSciences Co., Ltd. This company is accused of illegally importing glyphosate-isopropylammonium from abroad for sale to agricultural chemical producers. This investigation is classified as Special Case No. 79/2566. The case stems from the actions of a group of individuals who imported glyphosate, which is a type-3 hazardous substance, and falsely declared it through customs as 2,4-D dimethylammonium. This conduct is a violation of sections 23 paragraph one and 45 (1), in conjunction with Sections  47 (2) and 45 (4) of the Hazardous Substances Act, B.E. 2535 (1992), the Customs Act, B.E. 2560 (2017), and other related offenses. Due to its potential for harm, including the risk of causing cancer or, in high doses, death, glyphosate is a type-3 hazardous substance that the state has placed restrictions on.

          Additionally, on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, the special investigation team collaborated with officials from the Department of Agriculture to conduct searches at Rainbow AgroSciences Co., Ltd., located in Wang Thonglang district, Bangkok, and AgroIris (Thailand) Co., Ltd., located in Yan Nawa district, Bangkok. These companies are importers and distributors of glyphosate products that were previously seized. Subsequently, on Thursday, December 21, 2023, the officials expanded their investigation with a criminal court search warrant to inspect V.C.S. Agro Chem Co., Ltd. in Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani province, which is related to the purchase and storage of glyphosate. The search aimed to find evidence related to the transaction of the confiscated goods and their criminal nexus. The investigation successfully uncovered evidence related to the case and found a total of 721 drums of glyphosate, a type-3 hazardous substance, amounting to 144,200 liters worth approximately 17 million baht. These were seized as evidence in the case and handed over to the Department of Agriculture for storage at the Rubber Research Center in Chachoengsao province. The Bureau of Consumer Protection Crime team will continue to extend the investigation to all individuals involved in these offenses