By Rabindra Rooplall
ENFORCEMENT officers attached to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Saturday a Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, seized three busloads of smuggled chicken with the ‘Rockingham’ label.

The suspect escaped the scene before officers were able to apprehend him, according to a GRA source.
The minibuses were intercepted after the officers had received information. This newspaper understands that the product will be handed over to the Health Ministry to ensure that tests are done before they are discarded or utilised.

It was noted that the GRA donates the “good chicken” seized for utilisation by the appropriate ministries and other state agencies, rather than offering them for sale to the general public.
It was explained that smuggled poultry products pose grave danger to consumers, handlers and the environment.

The official explained that these smuggling activities have grown in spite of law-enforcement restrictions on importation.
Experts have discovered that the break in cold chains during smuggling encourages a build-up of high microbial load, rendering such consignments unhealthy and unfit for human consumption.

“It is difficult to trace the sources of infection or other forms of contamination in smuggled poultry meat; whereas, locally produced chicken meat can be traced to sources of infection or other forms of contamination,” the officer explained.

Another law-enforcement officer explained that bacteria via contaminated or spoilt chicken can provoke a number of symptoms within 72 hours of exposure and could last for four to seven days, necessitating hospital admission in some cases.

Infection with salmonella, he said, could be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems such as infants and the elderly.
“They said chronic exposure to the bacteria could result in arthritic symptoms. Unfortunately, the hospital systems and healthcare service providers may be grappling with infections originating from such sources as smuggled chickens, but confusing the cases with other clinical conditions that present similar symptoms,” he explained.
Poultry farmers have expressed frustration over smuggling, noting that the “borders are porous and the smuggled chicken are [sic] cheaper, but can be hazardous.”
Poor-quality food or chemical-laced products could cause ill health such as cancer and inflammation of the stomach, intestines, kidneys and liver.