Inspection teams from the Manila veterinary office found the meat inside a cart near the railroad along Claro M. Recto Avenue, radio dzBB reported early Friday.

The pork was hidden under a layer of vegetables in what the inspection team suspected was an attempt to fool them, the report said.

According to GMA News, initial investigation showed the tainted meat was to be brought to markets in the Divisoria area, where it was to be sold at a lower price.

The report said the meat was brought to the Vitas Slaughterhouse.

A separate report on dwIZ said vendors at the Divisoria market were mum on the source of the tainted meat, which authorities said would be fed to crocodiles at the Manila Zoo.

Authorities have started stepping up their watch against tainted meat, since demand for the product is expected to rise as the Christmas season approaches.