It is only the beginning of February and we have already known that the Servicio Marítimo Guardia Civil research a new plot with illegal Iberian ham which is being marketed in a variety of Spanish territories. Until 13 people are involved, spread over the provinces of Badajoz, Cáceres, Madrid, Zaragoza, Barcelona, Murcia, Salamanca, Huelva and Granada. The operation, named 'Sanedrac', has started in the Extremaduran town of Salvaleon, where the armed institute has immobilized a total of 24.843 hams and shoulders. Now, the inquiries continue but also directing the gaze towards the mentioned places. We tell you more here.
Monte Porrino, at the beginning of the plot
Specifically, all this plot with illegal Iberian ham being investigated started by about veterinarians of the General Directorate of Public Health of the Junta de Extremadura. These received a notice from the Health Zone of the town of Alcuéscar, in Cáceres. They warned about the traceability of an exact batch of hams. So, as a result, the inspection was directed towards a meat products company called Mount Porrino and located in Salvaleon (Badajoz). During this work, the veterinary group found serious deficiencies related to this key element that allows certifying legal origin. Both the hams as pallets pigs lacked sanitary seals or markings.
After all that was found, some 150.000 kilos of product and, suspecting that the matter had turned into an entire illegal commercialization, they informed the Judicial authority. This ordered the SEPRONA of the Civil Guard of Badajoz to investigate further.
Since April of 2019
Although the statement was issued by the armed institute this past Monday, February 3, 2020, the agents have already inspected the company in Badajoz in April 2019. Thus, to clarify the facts, they analyzed a large number of documents and they discovered something relevant. They were not identified the products, either due to the total lack of information or due to the absence of references to the batches. Or to health marking or at the time of entry salting.
In short, these irregularities diminished his correct traceability internal. In the process, the authorities in charge also obtained sufficient evidence and indications to consider an alleged business plot of the meat sector.
Most widespread illegal Iberian ham plot
Until 14 companies dedicated to the sale of meat products were related in the alleged plot with illegal Iberian ham, which thus spread to 9 provinces. Those responsible are now being investigated for alleged crimes of fraud, falsification of documents, against public health and against consumers. Later, the agents will know if these commercials are really within this or not. fraud. In this way, it joins others that we have already reported in Gastronomic Information.
