PATTAYA, THAILAND – Tourist police in Pattaya arrested a 37-year-old Iranian man in a local pharmacy after an undercover operation uncovered sales of unregistered and allegedly counterfeit medicines.
Undercover Purchase Triggers Arrest
According to the Tourist Police in Pattaya, officers deployed an undercover investigator after complaints that a foreign man without qualifications had been dispensing medicines in a local pharmacy. The operation focused on public safety and compliance with Thailand’s drug laws. The officer bought an anti-inflammatory painkiller, Gofen 400, which is classified as a medicine that may only be dispensed by a licensed pharmacist; investigators said the suspect personally sold it for 95 baht to the undercover officer.
Search Finds Unregistered and Suspected Fake Drugs
Once the purchase had been documented, officers moved in and arrested the man inside the pharmacy. He was identified as Seyed Mohammadreza Hossini, 37, an Iranian national. A subsequent search of the premises uncovered additional medicines that were reportedly not registered in Thailand and had been classified by authorities as counterfeit products.
Herbal Remedies and Potency Product Seized
Among the seized items were herbal painkillers and a box of Lovegra, a product similar to Viagra, according to the officers involved. All confiscated products were secured as evidence for the ongoing investigation. Authorities stated that the seized goods were treated as unregistered and allegedly falsified medicinal products.
Pharmacy License Registered to Suspect’s Wife
An official check showed that the pharmacy license had been issued to Lioran Co., Ltd. The responsible operator and legally accountable pharmacist was listed as Ms Nan, the suspect’s wife. During questioning, Hossini admitted, according to police, that he had sold medicines in his wife’s name, saying she was a licensed pharmacist and owner of the pharmacy, while he himself had stood behind the counter without his own registration.
Operation Led by Tourist Police and Health Officials
The action was led by Pol Lt Col Prabda Suksunthri, chief of Tourist Police Sub-division 4, Division 2, Tourist Police Bureau 1. He was supported by Pol Lt Col Phawit Chimphalee and Pol Lt Col Apichat Jarurak from Pattaya Tourist Police, as well as Jirasan Meeratthanawat, a senior professional pharmacist at the Chonburi Provincial Public Health Office, and other police and pharmacy officials. The coordinated team carried out the raid and inventory of the seized medicines on site.
Multiple Charges Linked to Drug and Work Laws
According to a report by the outlet Khaosod, Hossini now faced several accusations. These included allegedly working beyond the activities permitted under his status as a foreigner, producing, selling, or importing unregistered medicines, falsely presenting himself as a licensed pharmacist without registration or permission, and producing, importing, or selling unregistered herbal products.
Case Handed Over for Further Legal Action
The 37-year-old was handed over to the competent investigators for further proceedings. Criminal action was ongoing against him under relevant drug and labor regulations.
Questions Over Trust in Pharmacies
The case raised questions about how tourists and residents can rely on supposed safeguards in pharmacies when untested products are allegedly sold over the counter. It also highlighted concerns over whether pharmacies in busy tourist hotspots such as Pattaya should be more strictly monitored and how authorities check who is actually working behind the counter.