European crackdown: 30 tons of tainted shellfish seized

According to "Bild," shellfish, though considered a delicacy, can be harmful to our health. Consuming seafood infected with the hepatitis virus can lead to unpleasant consequences. Therefore, shellfish must be thoroughly checked before being introduced to the market. Mafias specializing in the illegal seafood trade disregard testing, focusing instead on profits reaching millions of euros.

A joint operation involving police, customs services, and environmental and food protection agencies in France, Spain, and Portugal uncovered this practice. During the 17-day operation, 30 tons (approximately 66,000 pounds) of shellfish worth 10 million euros (10.5 million dollars) were confiscated. Europol also reported the arrest of 62 members of various criminal groups.

The criminals were particularly interested in Japanese carpet shellfish, which are an invasive species. These shellfish were collected in Portugal and Spain by Chinese workers and then sold in France. The workers, often illegally smuggled into Europe, received 1 euro (about $1.05) per kilogram (about 2.2 pounds), while the sale price was 25 euros (about $26). Even this low wage was further reduced as workers were indebted to triads and forced into dangerous work. "Bild" recalls that in February, 19 Chinese shellfish gatherers drowned off the coast of England after their employer miscalculated the tides.

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

During the operation, six tons (approximately 13,200 pounds) of illegally caught glass eels were also confiscated. These are strictly protected yet fetch a price of 6000 euros (about $6,240) per kilogram (about 2 pounds) on the Asian market, bringing the total value to 36 million euros (about $37.5 million).