Pigs found with salbutamol were destroyed in Đồgn Nai City. VNA/VNS Photo

ĐỒNG NAI — Police in the southern province of Đồng Nai on Friday, initiated legal proceedings against two suspects over the discovery of more than 2,300 pigs contaminated with Salbutamol.

The two suspects are Ng. H. Th, 72, and D. Th. H, 52, both residing in Tân An Commune of  Đồng Nai City. They are being investigated for violating food safety regulations under the Penal Code.

Earlier, on September 5, following investigative measures, the Economic Police Division coordinated with the city’s Sub-Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries to inspect a pig farm owned by Th.

The inspection uncovered more than 2,300 pigs containing Salbutamol – a banned substance used to promote lean meat production in livestock farming.

Authorities temporarily seized the live pigs, which had a combined weight of more than 300 tonnes and an estimated market value of around VNĐ15 billion (US$570,000).

During questioning, Th and H admitted that they had conspired to purchase Salbutamol and mix it into animal feed to accelerate weight gain in pigs over a short period before selling them on the market for illicit profit.

They had not yet managed to sell the pigs when authorities inspected the farm and uncovered the violation.

Police in Đồng Nai City are continuing the investigation.

As previously reported by the Vietnam News Agency, since late July, authorities in Đồng Nai have stepped up inspections and enforcement against the use of banned substances in livestock farming.

During these inspections, thousands of pigs at several farms have been found to be contaminated with Salbutamol. VNS