A joint law enforcement operation seized more than a tonne of pork and pig innards from a van in Balaing village, Damrei Choankhla commune on Sunday. The meat was illegally imported from Thailand.
The crackdown was carried out by the General Department of Animal Health and Production and National Military Police in cooperation with officials from the Banteay Meanchey provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The perpetrators were caught after the authorities pursued them from the Cambodian-Thai border.
General Department of Animal Health and Production Director-General Tan Phannara told The Post on Monday: “Technical officers seized 23 cases of frozen pork and pig innards including kidneys, stomach and hearts, ears, tails, tongues and ribs. The seized items weighed 1,150kg,” he said.
Phannara said the confiscated pork and internal organs, as well as the van used in the crime, were being held at the General Department of Animal Health and Production in Phnom Penh pending legal action.
“The technical officers have taken samples of the pork and pig innards to be tested.
“In case the items contain any toxic chemical substances or infectious bacteria which can harm other animals, a fine will be imposed on the owner of the goods according to law,” he said.
Phannara said the authorities did not detain the owner of the goods or driver in the crackdown, but they will be fined as per the law and depending on the type of goods involved.
However, the test results of the seized pork and pig innards were not released by press time.