Police in Bukedi South have arrested 11 people in Busia Municipality during an operation targeting butcheries suspected of selling meat from stolen animals and dealing in uninspected animal products.
The operation, conducted on Monday, covered butcheries in Arubaina, Sofia, Nangwe, Solo B and Busia Main Market areas.
It was led by the Busia Municipality veterinary officer and followed earlier investigations involving sniffer dogs, which reportedly identified butcheries suspected of handling meat from stolen livestock.
Police said some operators had abandoned their premises after noticing the sniffer dogs, prompting authorities to organise a coordinated intelligence-led operation.
During the operation, authorities recovered unstamped goat and cattle meat, as well as turkeys and chickens. They also seized weighing scales, stones, pangas and other items believed to be relevant to investigations.
The 11 suspects were taken to Busia Central Police Station for processing and were charged with cattle theft.
The operation involved the Flying Squad and other security agencies as part of efforts to dismantle a suspected livestock theft network involving butcher operators in Busia Town.
Authorities said the crackdown forms part of broader measures to curb livestock theft and prevent the sale of illegal and uninspected animal products in the district.
