By Thai Newsroom Reporters
OVER 4,500 TONNES OF PORK and other meats allegedly smuggled from abroad have been seized at cold storage warehouses in the provinces since the last few months, according to Agriculture & Cooperatives Minister Thammanat Prompao.
More than 4,500 tonnes of pork and other meats suspected to have been illegally brought into the country by smugglers have been seized from among a total of 107 cold storage warehouses inspected by the authorities in 14 provinces in varied regions of the country over the last few months.
The authorities have launched an investigation into the alleged pork smuggling which has quickly prompted the prices of the locally supplied meats to plummet in the domestic markets.
Thammanat has earlier confirmed that those who may have been allegedly involved in the pork smuggling will be arrested no later than the end of this month and that the lowered prices of the locally produced meats will consequently rebound from early next month.
Any “big shots” allegedly masterminding the suspected smugglers could probably be identified and brought to justice as well, he said without elaborating.
However, Suriya Singhakamon has already been affected by a surprise transfer from the post of director-general of the Department of Special Investigation at the height of the pork smuggling scandals.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page: Officials seize smuggled pork, above, and checking a beef distributor’s shop for the source of his meat at Chiang Rai earlier this year. Both photos: Naewna
Insert: Agriculture & Cooperatives Minister Thammanat Prompao. Photo: Matichon
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