Milk-ing the system: Fake powdered milk ring busted in Thailand

Police in Nakhon Pathom have detained a Chinese national alongside two Thai individuals for allegedly distributing counterfeit powdered milk. The arrests were made following a concerted police operation that uncovered a significant quantity of fake Ensure Gold powdered milk.

During the raids, which took place yesterday in Nakhon Chaisi district, officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division, led by Withaya Sriprasertparp, seized 5,375 cans of the counterfeit product along with various related equipment.

The operation targeted two specific locations suspected of being involved in the distribution network.

Investigations revealed that the counterfeit 850-gram tins of Ensure Gold were being sold through online platforms at 690 baht (US$20), significantly lower than the authentic product, which retails for over 1,000 baht (US$30). This price discrepancy raised suspicions and ultimately led to the police intervention.

The Chinese man involved in the case was identified solely by his surname, Chen. The two Thai individuals, named Manop and Wiriya were also implicated in the scheme.

Wiriya admitted during questioning that she was employed by another Chinese individual, known only as Wang, to package and dispatch the counterfeit goods to customers through a private courier service. In return for her services, she received a monthly salary of 16,000 baht (US$460).

The investigation further uncovered that Wiriya had been managing between 100 and 200 orders per day over 15 days. This information was pivotal in understanding the scale and reach of the counterfeit operation, reported Bangkok Post.

The trio now face charges related to the sale of counterfeit food products and the handling of goods with misleading labelling. These charges underline the severity of the offence and the potential impact on consumer safety and brand integrity.

In related news, police raided a major counterfeit cough syrup factory, seizing over 45,000 bottles valued at more than 50 million baht (US$ 1.4 million). The factory, producing up to 20,000 bottles daily, distributed the fake medication popular among youths seeking intoxication.