Nonthaburi: Police officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raided a factory illegally producing 70% ethyl alcohol cotton swabs in Nonthaburi Province, seizing tens of thousands of items worth over 2 million baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Col. Wiraphong Klaithong, Commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division 4, stated that officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division and the FDA searched a warehouse in Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province. They discovered 22 items of evidence, including cotton products soaked in 70% ethyl alcohol, cotton products soaked in ethyl alcohol, and 47,500 labels. In addition, there were several raw materials and machinery for production.
The inspection revealed that the facility was not licensed by the FDA to produce medical devices. The cotton soaked with ethyl alcohol was diluted with plain water to reduce production costs, which could affect the efficiency of killing germs. Some evidence has been sent to the Department of Medical Sciences for examination for contaminants. If the quality does not meet standards, additional charges will be filed. The factory has distributed products to over 12 hospitals and medical facilities since October 2024, totaling more than 88,000 panels. The factory has been secretly producing and has forged the registration number from the real product imported from abroad.
During the search, 10 accomplices were arrested and interrogated. The investigation is being expanded to identify the main perpetrators, who are expected to be apprehended soon.
The actions of the factory are offenses under the Medical Device Act 2008 for not registering a medical device manufacturing establishment, producing medical devices without a notification certificate, producing counterfeit medical devices, and creating a misunderstanding about quality certification marks.