Illegal Meat Ring Busted in Spain: Five Arrested, Four Restaurants Closed

Spanish authorities have announced the successful dismantling of a criminal network responsible for the illegal distribution of unsanitary meat products. The operation, which involved the Guardia Civil, resulted in five arrests and the closure of four restaurants across the provinces of Ávila, Toledo, and Madrid. According to a Guardia Civil spokesperson, "One of the illegal slaughterhouses was operating alongside a legal one in Ávila, where they were mixing legal and illegal livestock." The investigation began after several Chinese restaurants in Usera, Madrid, provided information about the illegal meat supply chain. Authorities discovered that the network was slaughtering sick and dead animals without any sanitary controls and selling the meat to restaurants and businesses. The meat was sold at a significantly reduced price, approximately 40€ compared to the legal price of 90€. This operation highlights the ongoing challenges in combating illegal meat trade and the importance of food safety regulations. The successful outcome serves as a reminder of the commitment of law enforcement to protecting public health and safety.