DSI seizes fertiliser worth about B20m

A large quantity of fertiliser containing the banned chemical paraquat passed off as organic fertiliser was seized in Chiang Mai yesterday.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said the fertiliser was seized from warehouses around the province. It did not disclose the precise quantity but estimated it to be worth 20 million baht.

Advertised on social media as organic fertiliser, it was found during an inspection of the warehouses led by DSI deputy chief Pol Lt Col Prakorn Sucheevakun.

Samples of the seized substances were sent for lab tests, which confirmed they contained the herbicide paraquat, one of two chemicals banned from farms on June 1. The other chemical prohibited in agriculture is the pesticide chlorpyrifos.

Before raiding the warehouses, the DSI worked closely with the Department Of Agriculture (DOA) in a joint investigation into businesses which were found to be deceiving customers by selling them bogus organic fertilisers.

Those responsible for producing or possessing harmful chemicals, including paraquat, are liable for up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of one million baht or both.

The raids followed a similar crackdown across other areas of Chiang Mai, as well as Bangkok and Uttaradit, on Wednesday.

In Bangkok, the raid was mounted at an address in a housing estate on Chaeng Watthana Road in Bang Khen district.

In Uttaradit, three houses were targeted in Muang district, while in Chiang Mai, fertiliser made with banned chemicals were found in three districts — San Sai, Mae Rim and Muang.

It is unclear if arrests were made during Wednesday’s raids, however.