DSI raided warehouse storing fake products for online distribution, with 20 million baht in circulation

DSI raided warehouse storing fake products for online distribution, with 20 million baht in circulation

          On June 19, 2023, at approximately 11:00 AM, under the direction of Police Lieutenant Colonel Phayao Thongsen, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation, and Police Captain Polson Terdsanguan, Director of the Intellectual Property Crime Bureau, a search operation was conducted. Police Lieutenant Polop Petchrung, Deputy Director of the Intellectual Property Crime Bureau, Mr. Manoch Kongkiatpanich, Director of the Intellectual Property Crime Division 2, along with officers from the Intellectual Property Crime Bureau, executed search warrants issued by the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court. The operation involved searching three locations involved in the production and sale of counterfeit goods. These locations were situated in Bang Ma Nang Subdistrict and Bang Yai District in Nonthaburi province, and Din Daeng District in Bangkok. Representatives of the affected brands were present to observe the search.

          The investigation revealed that a major distributor was illicitly selling counterfeit goods bearing trademarks through a Facebook page with a large following and high order volume. Over a six-month period, transactions through this page amounted to 20 million baht. Consequently, investigators executed search warrants at a townhouse in Bang Ma Nang Subdistrict, which was used for live broadcasts to promote and sell the counterfeit goods through the Facebook page, as well as for storage. Additionally, a commercial building in Din Daeng District, used for manufacturing the goods, was also searched.

          The search resulted in the seizure of over 5,000 counterfeit items, including watches, bags, perfumes, and clothing, bearing trademarks of various brands registered in the Kingdom of Thailand, such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, Chanel, and others. The estimated value of the seized goods is over 5.5 million baht. After confirmation by the brand representatives, all seized items were confiscated for further examination and legal proceedings.

          The illicit production and sale of counterfeit goods cause significant damage to the economy and the country's image, potentially impacting international trade relations. This type of offense is considered a serious economic crime that requires rigorous investigation and suppression, to improve Thailand's status and remove it from the United States Trade Representative's (USTR) Watch List (WL).