Thai Police, FDA Seize Silicone Implants and Unlicensed Drugs
BANGKOK — The Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raided a Bangkok warehouse, seizing thousands of unlicensed silicone implants and medicines intended for cosmetic surgery.
The operation, conducted on Friday by CPPD Subdivision 4 officers and FDA officials with a search warrant from the South Bangkok Criminal Court, uncovered a large cache of illegal medical products.
Seized Items
Authorities confiscated:
- 13,021 silicone nose implants
- 1,404 silicone chin implants
- 1,192 units of 15 types of medicine used in plastic surgery
The FDA launched the operation after discovering that unsafe, unlicensed silicone implants and drugs were being sold online. Investigators later learned that the items were distributed to more than 20 plastic surgery clinics nationwide.
Arrest and Charges
The warehouse manager, identified as 34-year-old Ekkasit, was arrested at the scene. Officials revealed that the illegal distribution had been ongoing for three years.
He now faces three charges:
- Violating the Medical Device Act by selling medical devices without a license (maximum penalty: two years in prison and/or a 200,000-baht fine).
- Violating the Medicine Act by selling medicine without a license (maximum penalty: five years in prison and/or a 10,000-baht fine).
- Violating the Medicine Act by selling unregistered drugs (maximum penalty: three years in prison and/or a 5,000-baht fine).
FDA Warning
FDA deputy secretary-general Dr. Lertchai Lertwut issued a strong warning about the dangers of using uncertified implants.
He stressed that non-medical grade silicone implants pose serious health risks, including:
- Severe infections
- Facial deformities
- Even death in extreme cases
“These products are not certified as medical grade,” Dr. Lertchai said. “People who undergo procedures using them are putting their health and lives at risk.”
Crackdown on Illegal Clinics
Officials confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify the clinics that purchased the illegal implants and medicines. The FDA vowed to intensify monitoring of cosmetic surgery suppliers and clinics to prevent further violations.
The case highlights Thailand’s ongoing battle against illegal medical products in the booming cosmetic surgery industry, where demand has fueled dangerous black-market practices.
