November 29, 2006

Mexican customs seize 60,000 kg of smuggled China pork

Almost 60,000 kilogrammes of suspected smuggled pork were found during a raid in a warehouse in Mexico, Pampanga, on Tuesday (Nov 28), according to Mexican customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales.

Morales said the Bureau of Customs' Port of Clark would determine the owner and conduct proper hearing on the case.

A raiding team from the police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, found the cargo inside a warehouse.

Dr. Julius Doble of the Department of Agriculture's National Meat Inspection Services said their reports indicated that the cargo came from China.

Morales said meat importation continued to be strictly regulated by the government to protect public health and the local livestock industry from diseases.

The importers of the meat earlier tried to dump the meat in two towns in Pampanga but the attempt was foiled by residents who protested.

Officials had expressed concern that the shipment of meat could be contaminated with the foot and mouth disease.