According to Kyodo News, Kanagawa Prefecture police in Japan arrested three individuals on Sept. 11, including a Chinese national suspect, Wenjie Dai (47, from Saitama City), president of the food import-export company "DC" based in Utsunomiya City. The suspects are accused of falsely labeling Wagyu beef exports as destined for Cambodia while illegally shipping them to Hong Kong, violating Japan's Customs Act and the Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control Act.
Police believe that over a four-year period starting in May 2020, the group illegally exported approximately 572 tons of Wagyu beef worth 4.457 billion yen (about HK$235 million) to Hong Kong. Investigations are ongoing.
Exports of Wagyu beef to Hong Kong require strict procedures, including processing at facilities certified by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. In contrast, exports to Cambodia do not require such steps. Police noted that this method of illegal export is becoming increasingly common, allowing suspects to reduce costs and maximize profits.
The arrests were made based on evidence that on Nov. 10, 2023, the suspects declared approximately 13 tons of frozen Wagyu beef—including the highest-grade A5 beef—with an export value of around 91 million yen, as destined for Cambodia. However, the beef was actually shipped to Hong Kong without the required export quarantine certificate for animal infectious diseases.
The case highlights growing concerns about illegal food exports and the evasion of agricultural trade regulations.
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