Madrid, Spain - May 27, 2025 A criminal network involved in the illegal trade of meat products without sanitary control has been dismantled. Authorities uncovered several clandestine slaughterhouses and animal concentration centers in the provinces of Avila, Toledo, and Madrid. Five people have been arrested and 12 others are under investigation for crimes including public health offenses, animal abuse, document forgery, belonging to a criminal group, and money laundering. The Guardia Civil led Operation Pox, targeting the illegal introduction of sheep and goat livestock into the food chain. Agents conducted seven raids, including homes and illegal farms, and inspected nine restaurants, closing four temporarily. Over 350 animals were found in severe starvation or with irreversible diseases and had to be euthanized. Investigators seized cash, documents, electronic devices, slaughter tools, and veterinary medicines. The main suspect managed an unregistered farm in Toledo that operated illegally. He and an accomplice transported animals irregularly, using fake documents to hide the activity. Some animals were sent to a legal slaughterhouse in Avila mixing legal and illegal meat, while others went to a clandestine slaughterhouse in San Fernando de Henares, Madrid. Meat from illegal slaughter was distributed to nine Madrid restaurants and sold to private individuals without any health control or traceability. The criminal group worked in a hierarchical structure to evade authorities and maximize profits, using cash payments and underreporting sales to launder money. Illegal livestock movements threaten the spread of diseases like sheep and goat pox, causing huge losses in the farming sector. Food safety is a key public health issue, and unregulated meat sales pose serious risks to consumers and the legal food system. Operation Pox involved cooperation from Europol, Guardia Civil units from Madrid, Toledo, and Avila, local police, and several regional agricultural and health authorities.