Authorities have intercepted multiple shipments of foul-smelling offal - lacking proper origin documentation or health inspection - before they could be sold to unsuspecting buyers.

Over a ton of decomposing innards seized in Ha Tinh

On June 6, the Economic Police Division of Ha Tinh Province, in coordination with the local traffic police and Dan Truong commune authorities, inspected truck license plate 35H-000.18. The vehicle was flagged for suspicious transport of unverified food products.

Upon inspection, police discovered over a ton of rancid animal organs emitting a strong odor. No veterinary health certificates or origin documents were available.

Shockingly, this was not the driver’s first offense. On May 20, the same driver, Le Van Hung, was caught in a nearby area transporting 210 kg of tripe, 295 kg of fat, and 500 kg of cattle hide - all of which were rotting and undocumented. Hung admitted the products had neither official origin papers nor health certifications.

1.3 tons of rotting offal uncovered in Nghe An

Just days earlier, on June 3, authorities in Nghe An stopped truck license plate 37C-397.43, driven and owned by Le Anh Hung from Kim Bang commune, Thanh Chuong District.

They found 1.3 tons of spoiled animal organs, including fat and intestines, all without invoices or quarantine documentation, and improperly preserved. The shipment showed clear signs of decomposition.

Le Anh Hung was fined over USD 670 and the entire load was destroyed as per regulations.

10 tons of moldy innards hidden in Hanoi cold storage

In a late-night raid on April 28, authorities inspected three cold storage units in Bai Do village, Tri Thuy commune, Phu Xuyen District, Hanoi. Inside, they found more than 10 tons of decayed tripe and bovine organs covered in mold. Though the facilities appeared inactive - with lights off and doors sealed - evidence showed recent activity in sorting and preliminary processing.

N.D.C., the 1998-born owner of the goods, admitted to sourcing the offal from unknown suppliers without any veterinary inspection. He then sold the items to small vendors across various provinces.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Pham Thi Thuy Chi of the Hanoi Economic Police Department, the group operated a fast, closed-loop distribution system. “If not stopped in time, this batch would have entered the market, posing a serious health threat to the public,” she warned.

Nearly a ton of spoiled innards found on interprovincial bus

In early April, Dien Chau traffic police in Nghe An Province discovered almost 1 ton of rotting animal organs on a passenger bus.

At around 11:30 p.m. on April 8, officers stopped bus 30Z-7327 on National Route 1A through Dien Hong commune. They uncovered 11 foam boxes filled with putrid tripe, livers, and poultry byproducts weighing a total of 985 kg.

All contents were decomposed, emitting a pungent stench, and completely lacking origin or quarantine certification. Authorities confiscated the vehicle and goods for investigation.

Y Nhuy