Suspect in warehouse raid to be prosecuted

PATONG: Kathu Police will prosecute Naowarat Sompong, the owner of counterfeit goods seized during a raid in a Patong warehouse last week. Kathu Police have officially charged Naowarat with violating the Trademark Act of 1991 after consulting with legal representatives and experts from factories of the goods in question. The companies, including such brand names as Nike, Adidas, Calvin Klein and No Fear, all confirmed that the products were counterfeit. Immediately after the September 6 raid, carried out by officers from both the Phuket Tourist Police and Kathu Police, it was estimated that the warehouse contained about 6,000 items – mostly shoes and clothing. However, Pol Capt Sanya Poachsalee, Sub-Inspector of the Phuket Tourist Police, said, “That figure has been subsequently raised to almost 30,000 articles, the genuine versions of which would have a retail value of around 20 million baht.” Naowarat denied the accusations last week, saying that the goods were bought from genuine manufacturers of the brands. The suspect has been released on bail pending her trial. If found guilty, she faces one to four years in prison, a fine of up to 400,000 baht, or both, Capt Sanya told the Gazette.

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