Truck loaded with pizzles detained, released later
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 22 2013: Adding a new dimension to the various cases of smuggling drugs and arms into the State, which have rocked the tiny State of Manipur for the last couple of months, another new form of 'questionable' trade has emerged, that of pizzles (reproductive organs) of bulls.

A truck fully loaded with puzzles, which was on its way to Moreh for onward transit to Myanmar and beyond to other parts of South East Asian countries, was intercepted by a team of civil dress police commandos at Lamdeng Khunnou last night.

Local Meira Paibis were also involved in the seizure.

The truck bearing registration no.MN05C/0386 was detained the whole night and the contents were unloaded today morning only to check whether possible hiding of drugs as well.

But it was found loaded with pizzles of bulls only.

They were found packed in around 200 bags.

After verifying the relevant documents, the puzzles-loaded truck was allowed to leave later during the day.

Pizzles being unloaded from the intercepted truck

However, it could not be confirmed whether trading in pizzles is legal or not.

The civil dress clad commandos did not care to even take the loaded truck to a nearby police station and check the legality of the goods.

They hastily set free the truck after being satisfied that there were no drugs in the truck.

According to reliable sources, the intercepted pizzles have been transported from UP and the loaded truck was heading towards Moreh from where it would proceed into Myanmar and other South East Asian countries like China where the people consume it after boiling in water, in the form of soup.

Pizzles are also eaten for health benefits such as being low in cholesterol and high in protein, hormones, vitamins and minerals like calcium and magnesium.

Pizzles are prepared either by freezing or by drying.

Scottish deer pizzles are thought to boost stamina and were used by Chinese athletes at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Pizzles can be served in soup, and if they were dried, then they can be turned into paste.

Pizzles may also be mixed with alcoholic beverages or simply thawed (if frozen) and eaten.

In Jamaica, bull pizzles are referred to as "cow cods" and are eaten as cow cod soup.

Like many pizzle-based foods, cow cod soup is claimed to be a male aphrodisiac, sources added.

Sources further pointed out that in addition to its health benefit, pizzles are also used as dog treat.