Six members of a smuggling ring were arraigned in a New York court on March 5th. The Government alleges illegal importation of raw poultry from China destined for ethnic restaurants. Huang Chen and partners organized a network to import, distribute and sell prohibited items from chickens, ducks and geese. The ring has operated since August 2022 importing shipments incorrectly described on manifests as ‘frozen seafood’. In raids, accompanying the arrests, the USDA and agents of the Office of the Inspector General confiscated product valued in excess of $150,000.
Illegal importation of raw ethnic delicacies from China represents both livestock and human health hazards. The extensive foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in England during 2001 was introduced through illegal importation of pork from China