Consumer protection police have seized more than 4,000 boxes of illegally imported pet food from China worth over 1.5 million baht during a raid on a warehouse in Samut Prakan. A 29-year-old woman believed to be overseeing the operation was arrested as authorities warned the products could pose health risks to pets. Get today's headlines by email The raid took place on March 15 in the Phra Samut Chedi district of Samut Prakan province after investigators discovered a stockpile of unregistered pet food stored in two warehouses. Officers confiscated 4,056 bags across 25 different product types, all bearing Chinese-language packaging and lacking official registration numbers required under Thai law. The operation was led by Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) chief Pol. Maj. Gen. Kongkrit Lertsitthikul, who ordered investigators from Sub-Division 2 to work alongside officials from the Department of Livestock Development. The suspect, identified as Thanthany, 29, was taken into custody on charges of producing or importing animal feed that requires registration but had not been legally registered under the Animal Feed Quality Control Act B.E. 2558 (2015). Authorities said the seizure followed an investigation into the growing illegal trade in imported pet food. Thailand’s pet care sector has expanded rapidly in recent years, increasing demand for animal feed and creating opportunities for smugglers to distribute unregulated products, particularly those sourced from China. Investigators from the Department of Livestock Development and the Central Investigation Bureau found that such goods often bypass regulatory checks and avoid official product registration. The illegal items are frequently marketed to consumers through online platforms, allowing sellers to distribute them widely without proper inspection. During the search, officers found large quantities of the pet food stacked inside storage facilities in Village 1 of Ban Khlong Suan subdistrict. According to police, the suspect admitted importing the products from China with the intention of selling them online to the public. Pictures courtesy of KhaoSod All seized items, valued at approximately 1,561,000 baht, were confiscated as evidence and transferred to investigators at Sub-Division 2 of the Consumer Protection Police Division for further legal proceedings. Under the relevant law, the offence carries penalties of one to five years in prison, a fine ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 baht, or both. Officials warned that unregistered pet food may contain dangerous contaminants such as mould, toxins or other harmful substances because it has not undergone quality testing by government agencies. Such contamination could cause illness or even death in pets. Khaosod reported that authorities also noted that illegal pet food often lacks verified chemical analysis data. Protein levels may be lower than advertised, while excessive salt or magnesium could contribute to heart disease in dogs and cats, potentially leading to expensive veterinary treatment for pet owners. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 16 Mar 2026
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