A major operation by European law enforcement agencies has resulted in the seizure of 30 tons of contaminated mollusks and six tons of glass eels, with a market value of approximately USD 10,000,000. The operation, coordinated across France, Portugal, and Spain, led to the arrest of 62 people connected to organized criminal groups.
The criminal enterprise primarily focused on harvesting Japanese clams, a seasonal delicacy popular during Christmas celebrations in Spain and Portugal. The operation uncovered a scheme where the groups falsified documentation to present contaminated seafood as safe for human consumption.
The investigation revealed exploitation of Asian workers who were paid minimal amounts to harvest mollusks from contaminated waters in Portugal. According to Europol, this case marks the first documented instance in the European Union where environmental crimes were directly linked to human trafficking.
Law enforcement identified six suspects as high-value targets during the operation, which spanned 17 action days. The Guardia Civil of Spain documented the seizures, showing officers confiscating both mollusks and glass eels, with the latter being particularly valuable on the seafood market.
The seized seafood was determined to be unsafe for human consumption, with authorities noting that contaminated mollusks can cause severe illnesses, including hepatitis. The criminal groups had established a distribution network moving illegally harvested seafood from Portugal to Spain.
Europol’s Environmental Crime Unit provided operational support throughout the investigation, deploying experts on the ground in all three countries. The agency facilitated coordination between national authorities and provided financial support for the operation.
The case highlighted a significant disparity between market prices and worker compensation, with the mollusks selling for up to £31 per kilogram while workers received only pennies per kilogram for harvesting. Europol experts conducted an operational analysis that led to the identification of additional high-value targets, spurring further investigations.
The coordinated effort between European law enforcement agencies prevented the contaminated seafood from reaching consumers during the holiday season, averting potential public health risks.
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading food poisoning lawyer said, “European authorities should be applauded for their work in busting this crime ring. Not only only was contaminated seafood involved, but also people were illegally trafficked to harvest the catches.”
