Spain - December 19, 2024 In a coordinated international effort led by the Guardia Civil, 30 tons of illegally caught shellfish have been seized across Spain, Portugal, and France in a major crackdown on criminal fishing activities. The shellfish, harvested from contaminated waters, posed significant health risks, potentially causing food poisoning and severe diseases like hepatitis. The operation, involving Europol and authorities from the three countries, resulted in 62 arrests, the majority of whom were suspected of being Asian nationals involved in illegal harvesting. The shellfish were primarily Japanese clams, highly prized in the market but obtained through deceptive practices—criminals falsified documentation, misrepresenting contaminated shellfish as safe for human consumption. Additionally, six tons of eels were seized, valued over 10 million euros on the black market. These illegal operations not only risk public health but also exploit workers, with many laborers earning as little as one euro per kilogram of shellfish, while the illicit goods could sell for up to 25 euros per kilo. Investigations revealed that some companies were importing the illegally harvested shellfish, bypassing the necessary purification processes and distributing them without proper health checks, compromising food safety standards. Authorities are now targeting the criminal networks responsible for this dangerous operation, which highlights the troubling connection between environmental crime, human trafficking, and labor exploitation within the EU.