Bangkok: Police have successfully dismantled a gang involved in the production of counterfeit monosodium glutamate (MSG) and seasoning powder, marking a significant victory against economic crime. The Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECSD) of the Royal Thai Police arrested seven suspects who were caught in the act of weighing, packing, and packaging fake MSG and seasoning powder for distribution to retail and wholesale markets in the Nong Khaem and Bang Khae areas.
According to Thai News Agency, the operation led to the seizure of 4,804 counterfeit MSG packets and 1,532 counterfeit seasoning packets. Additionally, authorities confiscated various raw materials and production equipment, amounting to over 24,918 items. The investigation, which traced counterfeit goods across provincial borders, began with the arrest of small-scale dealers in Chaiyaphum province and revealed a network that had been operating for over three months.
The gang used residences in Bangkok as makeshift production sites, employing nighttime transportation to evade detection. Raids were conducted at four locations, including a house in the Bang Khun Thian/Nong Khaem area, a shop in the Bang Khae market, and a grey enclosed pickup truck parked at a gas station in Sam Khok district, Pathum Thani province. These sites were found to be using substandard raw materials, potentially containing harmful substances.
Upon questioning, the suspect, Mr. Kriengkrai, confessed to participating in the operation for approximately two years, producing and distributing counterfeit products based on customer orders. His production capacity reached 1,500 packets per day, with goods delivered to designated roadside locations or sent via private courier services. The investigation uncovered that counterfeit products were prevalent in retail and wholesale stores in the Nong Khaem and Bang Khae market areas.
Mr. Kriengkrai has been charged under the Trademark Act B.E. 2534 (1991) for "jointly counterfeiting and possessing for sale goods bearing counterfeit trademarks." The ECSD urges the public to exercise caution when purchasing consumer goods, advising consumers to choose reputable sources and brands to avoid substandard products that pose health risks. The public is encouraged to report counterfeit goods to the Central Investigation Bureau through their website or Facebook page.