The manufacturer of Lyn-branded dietary supplements will likely face a murder charge after test results showed some of its products contain a life-threatening ingredient that might have killed three people.
Deputy police chief Virachai Songmetta said on Saturday forensic evidence showed at least one person, in Kanchanaburi, had died of complications after taking its dietary pills containing sibutramine.
Acting on a search warrant issued by the Thanyaburi court, a team of police, food and drug administration officials and halal product inspectors on Saturday searched a factory in tambon Bueng Kham Proi, Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani province.
They took action after tests of the samples showed some of the products contain sibutramine, an appetite suppressant.
Many countries banned the substance 10 years ago after a clinical trial revealed an increased risk of heart attack and stroke among users.
The search found the facility, located on a 200-square-wah plot, had separate rooms for the production of the supplements in tablet, liquid and capsule forms.
“An initial check found some of the products carry forged FDA numbers and halal mark without permission,” he said, adding the search team had seized some products for sibutramine tests.
Initially, a test on Lyn’s Block Burn Break Built and FS-3 products showed they contained drugs so they are not qualified as food. The FDA therefore revoked their licence numbers, suspended the production permit of Food Science Supply Service Co Ltd for 120 days and ordered a commercial production halt. Violation will result in a fine not more than 50,000 baht and a daily fine of 500 baht.
Pol Gen Virachai said the search also found documents showing Lyn dietary food supplements had been made there and there was clear evidence the products contained sibutramine.
“Factory managers, company owners and all involved will be prosecuted for causing the deaths of others. Distributors will also face legal action.
“We also found several dietary products [of other brands and companies] also contain sibutramine,” he said.
