B1.6m smuggled buffalo meat seized

The Customs Department on Tuesday showed 16 tonnes of smuggled raw buffalo meat worth 1.6 million baht, which was contaminated and would be destroyed.Customs director-general Kulit Sombatsiri said the frozen meat was smuggled in 800 packs. Samples had been sent to the Livestock Development Department for examination and the department replied that the meat was contaminated with E. coli bacteria and would have to be destroyed, he said.In the same briefing at his department, Mr Kulit also said that customs officials seized 129 pirated products worth about 30 million baht. They included shirts, wristwatches, eyeglasses, handbags, sports gear, blankets and bed sheets of well-known brands.Mr Kulit said customs officials intensified suppression of smuggled and pirate goods ahead of the New Year and Chinese New Year festivals.