Authorities seized Monday around P20 million worth of illegally imported meat from China when they raided old houses used as cold storage rooms in Tondo, Manila.
Manila’s Veterinary Inspection Board and police officers of the Manila Police District (MPD) confiscated the banned food items inside apartments and old houses on Juan Luna Street in Tondo.
The raid on nine storage houses yielded 20 tons of illegally imported meat such as duck blood, chicken, pork, beef, lamb, fish, pail of seaweeds which were either expired or nearly expired.
According to Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, they received information that illegal meat products were being sold in the markets.
Lacuna said the facility was owned by Chinese nationals who were not present during the raid.
She said the caretakers of the facility could not present a business registration or barangay permit.
“We are still trying to know if these Chinese meat products have been distributed,” she said.
Lt. Col. Reynaldo Magdaluyo, commander of Raxabago Police Station said they suspect that the banned items will be brought to markets.
“Delikado talaga ito… kung mapunta ito sa kamay ng mga enterprising individuals na lilinisan, huhugasan, aalisin ang amoy at ibabalik sa palengke o ibebenta nila o ilalako nila,” he said.
The frozen items will be destroyed in Porac, Pampanga.
Meanwhile, Magdaluyo said the owners of the warehouses are still being established but a Chinese national was brought to MPD Station 1 after he was caught in the act of delivering meat to one of the warehouses.
Dr. Nick Santos, Manila Veterinary Inspection Board Enforcement head, said the Chinese will be charged with violation of Meat Inspection Code and Port Safety Act of the Philippines.
Last August 24, a special enforcement squad was created to intensify the local government’s campaign against hot meat.
The squad was directed to check and verify the establishments engaged in food trade to ensure that their products have undergone proper inspection and quality control procedures by authorized personnel. (Erma Edera)
