Pork chop: Police sizzle illegal slaughterhouse in Bangkok bust
Police and the Department of Livestock Development launched an operation to dismantle an illegal pig slaughterhouse in Bangkok’s Bang Sue district. The operation resulted in the seizure of 1.8 tonnes of unapproved pig carcasses.
Police Major General Wacharin Poosit, commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, directed the operation yesterday, April 22, along with other officials. They arrested 41 year old Thanapol, whose surname was withheld, and confiscated the illicit meat found at the unnamed facility.
The police acted on reports that the slaughterhouse was clandestinely importing pork from unverified sources and failing to adhere to sanitary regulations. Such practices posed significant health risks to consumers due to potential contamination and also caused environmental issues through unpleasant odours and pollution.
During the raid, Thanapol identified himself as the owner. Officials discovered some carcasses exposed on the floor, with no protective coverings. Of the 7,500 kilogrammes of carcasses found, only 5,700 kilogrammes were documented, leaving 1,800 kilogrammes unaccounted for, prompting charges under the Animal Epidemic Act.
The charges include non-compliance with Section 22 of the Act, which prohibits the transportation of animals or carcasses into epidemic zones without veterinary permission. Bangkok has been designated an epidemic surveillance zone for African swine fever.
Violations carry penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment or a 40,000 baht (US$1,195) fine, or both. The 1,800 kilogrammes of seized carcasses are to be stored in a cold room for disease testing before Thanapol is handed over to the investigation team.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Wacharin emphasised the operation’s goal of consumer safety. Unverified and unsanitary meat poses a high risk of disease contamination, threatening public health and potentially carrying harmful residues such as growth enhancers and antibiotics, reported KhaoSod.
These substances could endanger consumer health and may even be fatal. The Department of Livestock Development plans to destroy the confiscated carcasses through legal means, such as burial or incineration.
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