A mobile court in Laxmipur has fined trader Nipu Chandra Das Tk 1 lakh for stocking and selling counterfeit ghee and cosmetics. He faces three months in prison if he fails to pay the fine. A large quantity of fake ghee and cosmetic products was seized during the raid and later destroyed.
The operation took place Wednesday afternoon at a warehouse in the "Abul Kalam Manzil" building in North Majupur within Laxmipur municipal town. Police and the mobile court carried out the joint raid based on information from the National Security Intelligence (NSI).
Officials said the warehouse was being used to stock counterfeit ghee and cosmetics for distribution to local shops. Acting on the tip-off the authorities located and confiscated the goods were destroyed due to health risks.
Nipu Chandra Das son of Indrajit Chandra Das from Rasulganj in Sadar Upazila was found supplying the counterfeit ghee to multiple shops.
Sanchay Ghosh, Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Laxmipur Sadar Upazila, who presided over the mobile court said such operations will continue in the public interest. District Safe Food Officer Sumadhu Chakraborty and Municipality Safe Food Inspector Mohammad Abdullah Hil Hakim were also present.
Market observers say counterfeit ghee and cosmetics cause financial harm to consumers and unfair competition for legitimate traders, since fake products are often sold at lower prices. Officials urged traders to verify product sources, labeling, manufacturing details, expiry dates and regulatory approvals before purchase or sale both at wholesale and retail levels to help curb the spread of counterfeit goods in the market.
