Officials from the General Directorate of Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression (CCF) found 17 fuel businesses in four provinces conducting illegal business, while more than 1,000kg of defective goods and over 500 litres of counterfeit alcohol were confiscated and destroyed from October 18-20.

CCF said on October 20 that its officials inspected 44 fuel business locations.

“The inspections were carried out in Koh Kong, Kampong Speu, Battambang and Prey Veng provinces, with 17 depots found breaking the law. After learning of the violations, officials fined and instructed the owners to stop breaking the law, which affected the livelihoods of people as well as the national economy,” it said.

Apart from the depots, CCF said that on October 20, CCF officials also inspected markets in Pailin, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Kep and Tbong Khmum provinces to prevent the circulation of defected, expired and counterfeit goods that pose a health risk and affect the economy.

During the inspection, officials found 1,186kg of expired goods along with 193.50 litres of counterfeit sanitiser.

From October 18-19, investigating officials from CCF branches in Kampong Speu, Takeo, Preah Vihear, Kratie and Oddar Meanchey provinces also inspected food products sold in the markets of these provinces.

During the two-day operation, CCF found and confiscated 298 litres of expired alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, 59 litres of counterfeit sanitiser and 25.74kg of expired goods which were destroyed on the spot while the owners were fined.

CCF claimed that during the operation, in addition to inspecting goods and investigating non-compliance of the law, officials at the locations distributed leaflets on health education and awareness of corruption in the fuel business in these provinces to ensure the protection of people’s interests and welfare.