Officials from the Consumer Protection, Competition, and Fraud Repression Directorate-General (CCF) and the Battambang Provincial Customs on June 7 seized and destroyed more than five tonnes of stale meat at Doung International Border checkpoint in Kamrieng district.

"[We] intercepted and seized 5,036kg of stale chicken meatballs and chicken legs at Doung international border checkpoint crossing," the CCF said.

After inspection, the state goods were handed over to CCF Battambang branch for referral to the provincial court.

Hak Sokrin, head of the CCF Battambang branch, told The Post on June 8: "The authorities have destroyed the meat. Customs officials seized it and handed it over to me to be burned. I am working with the prosecutor on the case,” he said.

Provincial court spokesman Phan Ratana could not be reached for comment.

CCF director-general Phan Oun told The Post on June 8 that the import of tainted products was subject to legal action. He said the CCF this month was targeting cases of alcohol poisoning in addition to the work that the department usually carries out.

"We are researching how to identify, prevent and cooperate with local authorities on the issue of wine and drug production in the capital and all provinces," he said.

At the end of May, CCF officials destroyed nearly 18 tonnes of counterfeit alcohol mixed with methanol after it was confiscated from warehouses and pharmacies in the capital.