Authorities bust pork haul smuggled from China hidden inside vegetable shipment
Authorities busted a haul of illegal pork smuggled from China and hidden inside a vegetable shipment in northern Thailand.
Customs officers seized the container in Mae Sai in Chiang Rai province when X-ray scans detected suspicious objects inside on September 18.
The shipment had been declared as produce, including beets, pak choi and green coral lettuce weighing more than 18.8 tonnes.
But it raised suspicions when X-ray scans and risk analysis detected objects inside inconsistent with fresh produce.
Officers also found discrepancies between the actual weight of the container and the weight stated in the customs documents.
Chiang Saen Customs House ordered the seizure of the container and joined forces with the Chiang Rai Animal Quarantine Station, Chiang Saen Food and Drug Inspection Office, and Chiang Saen Plant Quarantine Centre to conduct an inspection.
Officers discovered that the front part of the container had been disguised with boxes of fresh vegetables as declared.
However, a deeper search inside revealed a large stash of refrigerated swine carcasses hidden within.
The pork shipment contained 379 boxes with a total weight of more than 16.5 tonnes.
Officers seized all the items for further legal action as the shipment lacked disease-free certification and import permits.
Authorities said the action constituted offences under the Customs Act, including making a false declaration and evading restrictions, as well as violations of the Animal Epidemics Act and the Food Act.
The latest bust followed the seizure of 843 tonnes of illegal chicken feet allegedly smuggled from Malaysia and China at Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi.
