CAA busts biggest cosmetics contraband op in Colombo suburb

CAA Chairman Hasitha Thilakaratne (far left) with his officials (far right and second from right) seen during the 1 March CAA raid at the Wellampitiya warehouse as suspects (second and third from left) look on – Pic by CAA Photos

Left pic – CAA Chairman Hasitha Thilakaratne (centre) with one of his officials (left) during the CAA raid at the Wellampitiya warehouse, as suspects (far right) look on while bulk cream in cardboard boxes is seen in the background. Inset right top: Repacked cream retail packages kept in plastic vats. Inset right bottom: A close-up of a repacked cream box priced at Rs. 650.00 ready to leave the warehouse – Pic by CAA Photos   

Authorities of Sri Lanka’s apex consumer protection office, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), commenced a probe on one of the largest supply of cosmetics contraband to be discovered to date in a suburb just 7 km away from the heart of Colombo.

The latest probe comes in the wake of the seizure of the largest haul of contraband skin cream by two Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) officials on the evening of 1 March in Wellampitiya.

The CAA now estimates the value of seized contraband at around Rs. 15.7 million. “These fake creams could have resulted in skin issues and injuries.  Thanks to our alert CAA officers, we prevented it,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen during discussions with CAA officials about the raid. 

“I commend the CAA and the two young and alert CAA investigation officers who successfully completed this risky task,” he added.

The 1 March evening raid on a Kolonnawa warehouse was led by two young CAA officials who were previously tipped off about the quiet operation in Wennawatte, Wellampitiya. 

During the raid, the CAA teams found that the same cream in bulk was repackaged into  smaller retail packs branded Golden Pearl, Pai Me and Goree (Made in Pakistan), among others. Some packs of cream were also labelled Seaweed Element-Whitening Anti Spot Cream in English and priced at Rs. 650 each. Some retail packs advertised ‘7 Days Freckle removing’ on the label as well. At the warehouse, the CAA found substandard creams in bulk packs that bore printed Chinese characters. There were no import documents or proof of the country of origin. 

The suspects in charge of the operation also failed to produce any documents showing the location of the production of the cosmetics (locally or abroad), product registration certificates or even registration numbers (which was also not found on any labels). The bulk creams were found in new large cardboard boxes neatly stacked in shelves at the warehouse.

In 2014, the CAA netted 100,000 fake black henna packets in Grandpass, Colombo. The 100,000 packets were branded and printed showing a locally reputed brand name but the henna inside was switched with a substandard, adulterated dye powder. This stock was valued at Rs. 13 million.

In November 2016, the CAA was informed of the use of adulterated and expired cosmetics in many salons around the country. CAA raided 107 beauty and hair salons in the Kandy, Kurunegala, Gampaha, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Matara and Puttalam districts and detected expired cosmetics in 67 salons.  

On 6 March, CAA officials, speaking about the 1 March raid, urged consumers to be cautious of fake cream products, targeted at young women. 

“We especially warn young consumers to beware of these fake skin products, targeted mostly at young women. Do not purchase any packages just because they are low priced. Inspect them for registration numbers, expiry dates and locations of production. If such products are found the CAA can be informed on the hotline 1977 or the direct lines 117755481-3, officials said.

Minister Bathiudeen had earlier directed CAA Chairman Hasitha Tilakeratne and his officials to raid and seize all fake and adulterated cosmetic products in the market or about to enter the market.