Police seize 8,200 live chicks dumped by river during cross-border smuggling ring bust

Police seized more than 8,200 live chicks that were dumped by a river during a cross-border smuggling ring bust.

The young fowl were packed in 82 cardboard crates which were seized near the Mekong River, bordering Laos, on Wednesday.

Video shows the live chicks chirping restlessly inside the perforated containers.

Officials said the shipment of 8,200 chicks was intercepted at around 11 pm local time during drug patrols along the river.

Police and soldiers arrived at the South Pier and reportedly discovered the 82 boxes with no recipient. No suspects were arrested at the scene.

Krung Yaebdee, Senior Deputy Na Tan District Chief, said the action was considered an offence of 'importation of goods into the country that had not yet passed through customs clearance'.

He added: ‘The seized items were handed over to the inquiry officer of Na Tan Police Station for further legal action.'