On 10/2, Quang Ngai Provincial Police announced they had initiated four cases related to the collection, purchase, and sale of pigs and pig products infected with disease. This action aims to prevent contaminated food from entering the market before and during the Lunar New Year holiday.

The Economic Police Department, Quang Ngai Provincial Police, and functional units inspect a diseased pig slaughterhouse. Photo: Tra Cau

Specifically, investigators prosecuted Duong, 47, residing in Nghia Hanh, for collecting and purchasing 72 diseased pigs weighing 7,8 tons. She then transported them to Gia Lai province to sell to facilities processing sausages and hot dogs.

Similarly, authorities also prosecuted Hoa, 55, residing in Nghia Lo ward, for slaughtering 806 kg of pigs infected with african swine fever for sale to the public. Additionally, authorities prosecuted Khuyen, 51, residing in Truong Quang Trong ward, for slaughtering and trading 239 kg of pork and 8 kg of pig offal infected with the disease.

The largest case occurred in Long Phung commune, where authorities discovered Thanh, 55, buying, selling, slaughtering, and freezing nearly 14 tons of diseased and infected pigs intended for market distribution.

"Had authorities not detected it in time, this large quantity of diseased pork would directly threaten consumer health," said Vo Nang Chuyen, Head of the Operations and Synthesis Department at the Quang Ngai Provincial Market Management Department.

According to the Economic Police Department, african swine fever spread widely across most communes in Quang Ngai province in 2025. Many farmers, fearing losses, sold off their diseased pigs cheaply. Exploiting this situation, several individuals collected, transported, and slaughtered infected pigs for profit, disregarding public health risks. Following these discoveries, consumers in many traditional markets have become more cautious.

Although authorities have destroyed all unsafe meat, the risk of contaminated pork entering the market persists, especially during the period of high demand leading up to the Tet Binh Ngo 2026 holiday.

Lieutenant Colonel Doan Duong, Deputy Head of the Economic Police Department of Quang Ngai Provincial Police, stated that authorities are closely coordinating with quarantine and market management units to control the slaughter, transportation, and circulation of animal products. Authorities are increasing surveillance on key transportation routes, slaughter areas, and traditional markets to promptly detect and strictly penalize violations.

Thach Thao - Tra Cau