Spanish authorities have dismantled an organization that distributed meat in poor conditions.
The Guardia Civil and Dirección General de Salut Pública de la Conselleria de la Generalitat Valenciana operation led to more than 1,000 tons of meat products being seized.
Six people have been arrested and eight others between the ages of 25 and 60 are being investigated as part of Operation Jamvina. They are accused of crimes against public health, criminal organization, and money laundering.
Inspections in Madrid and Valencia led to the seizure of the hams and other meat which was valued at around €5 million ($5.7 million). No connected illnesses have been reported.
The investigation involved more than thirty inspections in companies in the Valencian localities of Alzira and Algemesi, as well as the Madrid town of Alcobendas.
It began in June last year when inspectors of the La Ribera health department found document issues and hygiene deficiencies in a company in Alzira distributing meat.
Guardia Civil said members of the organization, who belonged to several companies that were part of the network, introduced food in poor conditions into the market and used trademarks of other firms.
The group is also alleged to have modified the expiration dates of products to later resell them through other companies.
The agency added the gang sought to reduce expenses and maximize profits by avoiding costs related to destroying expired products or those in bad conditions and obtained new income by changing expiration dates on whole products or by slicing it and introducing them again on the market at a competitive price.
It follows more than 80,000 kilograms of Bluefin tuna being seized in Spain as part of Operation Tarantelo revealed last week, which was coordinated by Europol and run by Guardia Civil with the support of French, Italian, Maltese and Portuguese authorities.
Sources: Food Safety News