Suriya Orders Crackdown on Smuggled Agricultural Products; 180,000 Smuggled Chicken Eggs Worth 2 Million Baht Seized
Agriculture Minister Suriya has ordered a crackdown on smuggled farm products after authorities seized 180,000 contraband chicken eggs worth 2 million baht at a checkpoint in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The operation targets illegal agric
Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Suruthap Nuengchamnuea revealed that Agriculture Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has assigned him to accelerate the implementation of policies to prevent and suppress the smuggling of all types of illegal agricultural products through strict law enforcement. This initiative addresses concerns about food safety for consumers, the spread of animal diseases and crop pests into the country, and ensuring fair market treatment for domestic farmers.
According to the latest report from Dr. Somchuan Rattanmangklanon, Director-General of the Department of Livestock, the Special Task Force of Animal Quarantine Station Group 8—comprising checkpoints in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi—jointly set up an interception operation. At approximately 11:30 PM on May 16, officers spotted a 12-wheel covered truck at the Ban Noen Din Daeng intersection in Huai Yang Subdistrict, Thap Sakae District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Upon inspection, they discovered 180,000 chicken eggs packed in cardboard boxes.
The truck driver could not produce transportation documents or proof of the eggs' origin. He claimed he was hired to transport the eggs from Hat Yai District in Songkhla Province and would receive delivery point instructions upon arrival at the destination.
Livestock quarantine officers seized 180,000 chicken eggs and one 12-wheel truck as evidence. The suspect was handed over to officers at Huai Yang Police Station for prosecution under the Animal Disease Act of 2015.
Samples of the seized eggs were sent to the Western Region Veterinary Research and Development Center laboratory in Ratchaburi for disease monitoring and additional safety testing. Authorities will expand the investigation to identify hatcheries cooperating with the suspect for enforcement under the Department of Livestock's strict hatchery standards.
Secretay Suruthap concluded by noting that citizens can report violations or provide tips regarding livestock law offenses through the DLD 4.0 mobile application, available 24/7.
