The Civil Guard and Europol have dismantled a large criminal network that operated at a European level, producing and placing horse meat unfit for human consumption on the market. In the so-called “Yucatán” operation, 35 people have been arrested, six companies have been investigated and seized more than half a ton of meat whose traceability was falsified.
The main cattle farm from which this organization operated, in the province of Valencia, acted clandestinelysince it was already the subject of an action by the authorities in 2019 when it was sealed when 80 horses were found in an irregular situation, mistreated and presenting different diseases.
Abused scrap horses and by-products unfit for consumption
As reported by the Civil Guard, the ringleader was engaged in acquiring throughout Spain and at ridiculous prices horses considered waste, usually old animals practically worthless in the market, paying just 100 euros per head or even getting them for free.
The horses were transferred to the cattle farm, and later distributed by different european countries, including Belgium, Italy and Germany, as well as feedlots in Spain for fattening before slaughter. The animals were systematically maltreatedsubjected to continuous stress and without any guarantee of minimal well-being, without providing them with access to water or food.
The members that made up the criminal organization included transporters, veterinarians, butchers and slaughterhouse managers who misread the animals, falsifying documentation and producing and marketing the meat knowing that it did not meet the safety standards for consumption, with the health risk that it implied.
In addition, this horse meat was mixed with the so-called SANDACH meat, based on animal by-products not intended for human consumption, increasing the risks to public health. The Civil Guard estimates that up to 1,500 euros could be obtained for the sale of each animal, handling a business volume close to 4,500,000 euros.
The detainees and investigated companies are accused of belonging to a criminal organization, money laundering, animal abuse, Crimes against public health and document forgery.
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