Phuket police seize counterfeit goods worth B3 million

On February 3, in a joint operation between police from Sub-Division 4, Economic Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok (ECSD4) and Patong police, about 3,000 counterfeit goods were seized during raids on three shops in Patong.

The haul, said to be worth about B3 million, included 1,000 items of clothing, 451 watches and 1,500 bags. They were seized from storage areas behind shops in SB Plaza, Taweewong Rd, and Bangla Rd.

Along with seizing the goods, police also arrested four men, two Thais and two Burmese, however, a fifth man managed to escape arrest. The four were named as Bobbie Kiri (Thai), 50, Jakkrapong Koliyanon (Thai), 32, Tutu (Myanmar), 25, and Iram Ji (Myanmar), 30.

Patong Superintendent Col Chaiwat Ouikam said, “All of these counterfeit goods, as well as drugs and illegal firearms must disappear from Patong. We already target these things, however, we need to be sure before making any arrests.”

The superintendent of ECSD4, Col Teera Thongrayab, explained to The Phuket News how police had sent undercover officers to find out information prior to the raids, “Sometimes we can send new officers to pretend to be customers as no one knows that they are police.

“The officers then find that shops selling fashion products will possibly have counterfeit goods at storage areas behind the shop. If customers ask about buying those products, sales people will bring them into the storage area,” he said.

Police have confirmed that raids like those yesterday will continue across Phuket.

Col Teera explained, “We were assigned to be in Phuket for seven days starting from February 2. Police need to seize all illegal products which are related to economic crimes.

“This action will continue as another team will replace us after we have gone,” he concluded.

Patong police have charged the four arrested men with selling counterfeit products under the relevant copyright laws.

Phuket News

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