KUNMING - Police in Southwest China's Yunnan province have detained three people in connection with smuggling frozen chicken products into China, local authorities said Monday.

A total of 27 tonnes of frozen chicken feet and chicken tendons have been confiscated in four smuggling cases, according to the public security bureau of Maguan county.

In early May, border police received a tip-off about a large number of smuggled products to be transported into China illegally. Local police blocked key sections of the area, strengthened efforts against illegal border crossings and enhanced patrolling.

Four smuggling cases were busted on May 8 and 9, and police also seized five vehicles. The frozen products were transported into the country from Vietnam, according to Maguan police.

Further investigation is underway.

It is not the first time chicken feet have been the center of public clamor. In January, police in Maguan confiscated more than 30 tonnes of frozen chicken feet smuggled to China. The suspects planned to transport the chicken feet to the provincial capital Kunming, as well as other areas in the country.

Cooked chicken feet, often served as a cold dish, are popular in China. With supply hardly keeping pace with demand, chicken feet are being illegally imported, processed locally and sold to vendors across China.

Frozen products like chicken feet may contain viruses and be a hazard to public health.