Police raid clothing warehouse

PATONG: Phuket Tourist Police yesterday evening raided a warehouse allegedly used to store forged brand-name shoes and clothing. Pol Capt Sanya Poachsalee, Sub-Inspector Section 14 of the Phuket Tourist Police, said that officers were tipped off by an informant that the warehouse, at 179/11 Soi Talad Nud Patong, off Rat-U-Thit Rd, was being used to store the counterfeit goods. The Tourist Police arrested a woman, Naowarat Sompong, 28, who at first said she was the caretaker but later admitted under questioning that she was the owner of the goods. They also seized around 6,000 sports shirts and shoes carrying the Nike, Calvin Klein, Adidas, Oakley, No Fear and Fila brand names. The woman and the goods were taken to Kathu Police Station. Naowarat denied the charge, telling Kathu police that the goods were all seconds that she had bought from manufacturers of the genuine goods. Police are waiting for experts from these factories to confirm whether this is the case. Meanwhile, Naowarat has been released on bail.