A Europol investigation, the results of which were announced yesterday, has revealed how millions of euros were made by bluefin tuna having been caught in Maltese waters and illegally shipped to Spain.
The investigation, dubbed Operation Tarantelo, was launched when the Spanish Guardia Civil became aware of irregularities relating to Bluefin tuna fishing in the Mediterranean Sea.
Europol yesterday explained how investigations revealed that the fish was being traded illegally in Spain, but imported into the country through French harbours, after being caught in Italian and Maltese waters.
“While the fish caught in Maltese waters were illegally imported using documents from legal fishing and authorised farms, the fish caught in Italian waters arrived in Spain without documents or inspections.
“Although most of the fish was caught in Malta and Italy, in Spanish waters there were also unauthorised catches, in this case, the illegally fished bluefin tuna was transported in false bottoms under the deck of a vessel.
The illegal bluefin tuna market is double the legal market
This illegal bluefin tuna market, Europol said, was up to 2.5 million kilos a year and it is estimated criminals earn at least €5 profit per kilo, with total illegal profits amounting to €12.5 million. The volume of this illegal trade is double the annual volume of the legal trade, which is estimated to be 1.25 million kilos.
A human health crime
Europol noted how the tuna business is often linked to other crimes such as food fraud or document fraud.
“The main risks for consumer health were due to the unsanitary conditions in which the fish was transported and stored. Sometimes the fish was hidden underwater after it was fished, awaiting transportation. The supply chain was interrupted several times, which made the tuna go off and the risk of food poising higher for eventual customers.”
Europol said several cases of food poisoning were detected after eating the tuna, due to the degradation of proteins from the unhygienic conditions in which the tuna was stored.
On the action day, two mobile offices were deployed to Italy and Spain and Universal Forensic Extraction Devices (UFEDs) for on-the-spot support. The Spanish Guardia Civil arrested 79 suspects and carried out 25 searches. In addition, police seized more than 80,000 kilos of illegal bluefin tuna, alongside €500,000 in cash and seven luxury vehicles. In Italy experts specialising in food health and safety, Carabinieri NAS, carried out 23 inspections and identified 45 suspects, reported one individual and seized 541 kg of tuna as well as relevant documentation. In Portugal the Food Safety and Economic Authority (ASAE) carried out one inspection including several administrative reports and examined relevant documents.
There was no mention of any arrests having been made in Malta.