Authorities seized 24 tonnes of frozen buffalo meat from two trucks in Thap Sakae district of Prachuap Khiri Khan early Friday morning. Two drivers were arrested.
A combined team of soldiers, police, livestock officials and local officials intercepted a 12-wheel truck and a six-wheel truck at the Huai Yang security checkpoint in Thap Sakae district around 5am on Friday.
The search found 17,000 kilogrammes of frozen buffalo meat in the 12-wheel truck with Phetchaburi licence plates, and another 7,000kg in the other truck with Ratchaburi plates. The meat was contained in cardboard boxes.
Two drivers identified only as Chanon, 27, of Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Nadol, 63, of Bangkok, told the officers that they had transported the meat from Muang district of Nakhon Si Thammarat and were to deliver it to Muang district in Samut Sakhon. They failed to produce official documents about the transfer of animal carcasses when asked.
The two men were taken into custody and the frozen buffalo meat seized.
Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, director-general of the Department of Livestock Development, said he had learned that the seized meat originated in India.
The two drivers were charged with transferring and smuggling animal carcasses without permission in violation of the Animal Epidemic Act, he said.
The department said it has been working closely with relevant agencies to strictly inspect vehicles to prevent the smuggling of live animals and carcassess.
Frozen buffalo meat, weighing 24 tonnes, is seized and two drivers arrested in Prachuap Khiri Khan. (Photo: Department of Livestock Development)
(Photo: Department of Livestock Development)