PHUKET: Patong authorities seized B4 million of counterfeit goods last night after a tip-off from US Embassy in Thailand.
Local police and officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division office based in Patong, led by Inspector Lt Col Prateep Choosri, raided 12 shops and stalls in total, with the first foray starting at 6pm.
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Joining the police were officials from the Intellectual Property Department of the Ministry of Commerce.
Together, they seized more than 2,000 counterfeit items, including sunglasses, luggage, purses, clothing and shoes.
“Most of the stores raided were on the beach road, on Rat U-Thit 200 Pi Rd and along Soi Bangla,” Lt Col Prateep said.
“Last week, the US Embassy in Thailand received a written complaint from a business owner who is authorized to sell copyright brand-name products. The complaint identified shops and stalls in Patong that were allegedly smuggling and selling counterfeit goods in tourist areas,” he added.
However, not a single arrest was made.
“Everyone had fled by the time we arrived to raid the stores,” Col Prateep said.
Inside the stores and adjoining storage units, however, officers found stockpiles of counterfeit goods squirrelled away at the back of the stores and some stock stowed in hiding places.
Police are now investigating to locate the shop owners so they can be charged with selling counterfeit goods, Lt Col Prateep said.
If found guilty, perpetrators face up to four years in prison or a fine of up to B400,000, or both.
