Mooo-ving violation: RTA stops cattle smugglers’ herd scheme

The Royal Thai Army (RTA) intercepted five individuals attempting to smuggle 20 cattle into the country. The suspects, all Myanmar nationals, were caught receiving 250 baht per cow for their efforts from an unnamed middleman.

The 35th Ranger Forces Regiment, today, July 15, conducted a patrol in Ban Mae Salid Luang, Mae Song subdistrict, Tha Song Yang district, Tak province. During their operation, they encountered a group leading 20 cattle through the Mae Salid Pokro stream near the Mae Song Subdistrict Administrative Organisation.

Upon identifying themselves, the group attempted to flee. However, the officers managed to apprehend five individuals, four men and one woman.

The suspects were identified as 20 year old Saw Wi Hae, 21 year old Cho Ae Por, 30 year old Di Di, 35 year old Tho Ko, and 50 year old No Lae Tae. All were found to possess identification cards indicating their stateless status.

The detainees confessed to being hired by an unnamed middleman to guide the cattle from the Moei River area on the Thai side, close to Ban Mae Salid Luang, Mae Song subdistrict.

They navigated the cattle through the terrain and across the Mae Salid Pokro stream for delivery. Upon completion, a pickup truck with a metal cage would transport the cattle further for resale and each person would receive a payment of 250 baht per cow for their work.

The smuggled cattle were believed to have been illegally brought into Thailand from Wasu Ko village in the Karen State of Myanmar.

Consequently, military officials coordinated with the Tha Song Yang Police Station and the Mae Sot District Livestock Office to charge the suspects with moving animals or carcasses without permission in a foot-and-mouth disease surveillance zone, as per Section 22 and the penalties outlined in Section 65 of the Animal Epidemic Act.

The suspects were handed over to investigators at the Tha Song Yang Police Station, while the live cattle were transferred to livestock officials for further action in accordance with the Department of Livestock Development’s regulations, reported KhaoSod.