A disturbing case of consumer deception has come to light in Chattogram, where counterfeit soaps bearing the label “Original” were being sold in local markets. At first glance, these products appeared identical to legitimate Dettol soaps—similar packaging, colours, and branding—but tests revealed they contained substandard and potentially hazardous ingredients. For months, a well-organised criminal network had been supplying these fake soaps, creating a serious public health risk.
Acting on a tip-off, Rapid Action Battalion-7 (RAB-7), in collaboration with an executive magistrate and representatives from the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), conducted a raid on a clandestine soap factory located in the Majartak Shiklabaha area of Chattogram’s Karnaphuli district. The operation took place on Sunday, 14 December, under the supervision of RAB Chattogram headquarters.
The factory was disguised as an auto-rickshaw garage, but inside investigators found a fully operational setup equipped with modern electronic machinery producing counterfeit soaps mimicking Dettol and the international brand Liford.
| Details of the Raid | Findings |
| Location | Shiklabaha Union, Ward 2, near Jahangir Chairman’s residence |
| Nature of Premises | Disguised as auto-rickshaw garage |
| Equipment & Materials | Modern electronic soap-making machinery, raw materials, counterfeit soaps of multiple brands |
| Legal Status | No BSTI approval; operated under the licence of “Solid Corporation” for general soap only |
| Public Health Risk | Use of low-quality chemicals could cause skin irritation, rashes, allergies, infections; dangerous for children and sensitive skin |
BSTI inspector Abdur Rahim stated that although the factory operated under a valid trade licence for ordinary solid soap production, in reality it produced unauthorised counterfeit Dettol and Liford soaps. “The factory had no approval or quality control certification from BSTI. The production methods and ingredients used were substandard and potentially harmful,” he explained.
Lieutenant Colonel Md. Hafizur Rahman, commanding officer of RAB-7 Chattogram, described the operation as a crackdown on a sophisticated fraudulent network. “This was not merely an economic crime; it is a serious public health offence. They were deliberately deceiving consumers by mimicking trusted domestic and international brands,” he said.
During the raid, two factory workers were detained for questioning. Authorities are now verifying their statements to identify the principal perpetrators. Confiscated counterfeit soaps and production equipment are undergoing legal proceedings.
Local residents reported unusual nighttime activity at the site for months. “We knew it was an auto-rickshaw garage, but there was constant work at night. We had no idea counterfeit soap was being produced,” said Helal Uddin, a nearby resident. Consumers, meanwhile, have reported skin problems after using these fake products and are calling for exemplary punishment for those involved in such deceptive operations.