Narathiwat: Authorities have successfully dismantled an illegal frozen meat smuggling operation, seizing over 15 tons of contraband. The Phra Phirun Task Force, in collaboration with the Customs Department and security agencies, intercepted a refrigerated truck at the border in Tak Bai District, Narathiwat Province. The truck was found to be carrying approximately 15 tons of frozen meat, and the driver was unable to provide necessary import documents. Legal proceedings are currently underway, with further investigations planned to identify those involved in the smuggling ring.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Sarawut Nueangchamnong, the Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Commander of the Joint Command Center for Agricultural and Food Security (JCCAS), revealed that JCCAS officers, along with the Customs Department and Tak Bai Customs officers, were conducting a patrol to prevent and suppress customs offenses in the border area of Tak Bai District. During their patrol, officers noticed a suspicious refrigerated truck, which upon inspection, was found to contain between 13 to 15 tons of illegally imported frozen meat. The truck owner failed to provide import documents or customs clearance proof.
Initially, officials seized the confiscated meat for inspection under the Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017). The seized items were then transferred to Tak Bai Customs House and Tak Bai Animal Quarantine Station for further investigation and to initiate legal proceedings against the individuals involved.
Mr. Sarawut emphasized that this operation aligns with the policy of Mr. Suriya Jungrungruangkit, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, who has instructed all agencies to rigorously crack down on the smuggling of illegal agricultural products. Such illegal activities disrupt market mechanisms, adversely affecting farmers and legally operating businesses.