Illegal shellfish trade uncovered: 30 tonnes seized in Europe crackdown

As "Bild" indicates, shellfish, although considered a delicacy, can be detrimental to our health. Consuming seafood infected with the hepatitis virus can have unpleasant consequences. Therefore, shellfish must be thoroughly checked before being introduced to the market. Mafias specialising in the illegal trade of seafood do not care about testing, focusing instead on profits reaching millions of euros.

A joint operation by police, customs services, and environmental and food protection agencies in France, Spain, and Portugal revealed this practice. During the 17-day operation, 30 tonnes of shellfish worth 10 million euros (8,3 million pounds) were confiscated. Europol also reported the arrest of 62 members of various criminal groups.

The criminals were particularly interested in Japanese carpet shellfish, an invasive species. They were collected in Portugal and Spain by Chinese workers. The goods were then sold in France. Workers, often illegally smuggled into Europe, received 1 euro (0,8 pound) per kilogram, while the sale price was 25 euros (21 pounds). Even from this low wage, little reached the workers, who were indebted to triads and forced into dangerous work. "Bild" reminds us that in February, 19 Chinese shellfish gatherers drowned off the coast of England when their employer miscalculated the tides.

The seafood mafia forged health certificates to make the shellfish appear safe to consume. - This could lead to serious health risks since consuming contaminated shellfish exposes consumers to serious illnesses, such as hepatitis, warns Europol, as quoted by "Bild".

During the operation, 6 tonnes of illegally caught glass eels were also confiscated. These are strictly protected but fetch a price of 6,000 euros (5,000 pounds) per kilogram on the Asian market. The total value is up to 36 million euros (30 million pounds).