The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department has closed an illegal meat distribution centre in Sheung Shui and seized about two tonnes of frozen geese. A 26-year-old man has been arrested for failing to produce any proof of origin or health certificate for the poultry.

The department's officers staked out a shop in Po Lau Road, Sheung Shui, early this morning. 

About 4am, 10 men were seen loading goods from three refrigerated containers onto eight vehicles. Officers then moved in to search the containers and vehicles on which they found seven tonnes of frozen poultry, including five tonnes of frozen chickens and two tonnes of frozen geese.

A 26-year-old man, who admitted being the shop proprietor, was unable to produce any proof of origin or health certificate for the geese. The 700 frozen geese in 130 boxes were all seized pending further investigation.

The frozen chickens were cleared as they carried relevant official health certificates.

Anyone selling poultry not from an approved source commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

It is an offence to operate an unlicensed fresh provisions shop, which carries a penalty of six months imprisonment and a fine of $50,000, plus a daily fine of $900.