Police in Astana, together with the veterinary inspectorate, have uncovered an illegal meat processing workshop.
According to Polisia.kz, veterinary and sanitary standards were not being observed at the facility. Additionally, the organisers did not have the required permits or veterinary documents.
During the inspection, police discovered 5 horse carcasses, 24 cattle carcasses, 13 carcasses of small livestock, approximately 180 bags of meat products, as well as equipment and tools for processing. The total weight of the confiscated meat was 3 tonnes.
The police noted that an investigation is underway regarding the seizure, checking it against the ISZh (farm animal identification) records. Law enforcement officers are working to establish the origin of the carcasses and meat products, including checking whether they may have been stolen.
It is worth recalling that recently, the FBK editorial team published a series of investigations into potential schemes in the export of meat products and live livestock, as well as about fictitious inspections at markets, the concealment of anthrax outbreaks, and illegal trade in saiga meat. Furthermore, we have reported on how the country's veterinary safety system, overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture, permits the import of potentially unsafe products.