Investigators in Spain disclosed a concealed meat scandal unfolding in the Madrid region.
In a significant operation against illegal animal trafficking, Spanish authorities have dismantled a criminal network selling meat from severely malnourished and sick sheep and goats. The goods were reportedly sold to at least nine Asian restaurants in Madrid's Usera district and the Cobo Calleja industrial estate in Fuenlabrada, as well as private households online.
The Guardia Civil, the Spanish police unit leading the investigation, arrested five individuals and launched investigations against twelve others. Four restaurants were temporarily closed by the authorities. The operation, dubbed "Operation Pox," targeted livestock farms, illegal slaughterhouses, and industrial warehouses across provinces including Ávila, Toledo, and Madrid.
During the search of several illegal slaughterhouses in San Fernando de Henares, east of Madrid, more than 200 sick and dying animals were found in unsanitary conditions, along with severed animal heads and rats. According to authorities, over 350 severely malnourished, incurably ill, or deformed animals had to be euthanized.
In addition to the deplorable conditions found in the illegal meat supply chain, authorities uncovered a separate, large-scale illegal wildlife trafficking operation. Critically endangered Fijian iguanas that had previously been rescued near Madrid were among the illegally traded reptiles. These iguanas were relocated to the San Diego Zoo for conservation and genetic study purposes.
Further investigations in the Toledo area resulted in arrests related to illegal hunting and trade of protected species, such as hedgehogs, reflecting a broader crackdown on wildlife trafficking and abuse within the region. Ten more individuals remain under investigation for involvement in these crimes.
This series of operations demonstrates the active engagement of Spanish law enforcement in combating illegal animal trafficking and abuse. The efforts are not only aimed at protecting local animals but also endangered species on an international level.
- The Community policy should include stringent measures to combat illegal wildlife trafficking, as demonstrated by the ongoing operation "Operation Pox," which targeted endangered Fijian iguanas and other protected species.
- To ensure the health and well-being of both local and imported animals, the employment policy within the food-and-drink sector should prioritize ethical meat sourcing and animal welfare practices, as revealed by the discovery of severely malnourished and sick sheep and goats in Madrid's illegal meat supply chain.
- The General news media can play a crucial role in raising awareness about crime-and-justice issues such as illegal animal trafficking and wildlife abuse, as well as other health-and-wellness and lifestyle concerns, by reporting on significant operations like "Operation Pox" and the related arrests and investigations.
