Officers from the Food Standards Agency and the Metropolitan police found the bushmeat at a site in south-east London
Species such as pangolins are also a critically endangered
A man has been arrested after officers uncovered 38kg of illegal frozen bushmeat, including pangolins, cane rats and porcupines, at a site in south-east London.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said its National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) investigators working with the Metropolitan Police, discovered the meat during a raid in Deptford on 5 December.
The 57-year-old man was arrested and later released under investigation.
Bushmeat refers to wild animals—often species found in tropical regions—that have been hunted. The FSA said the operation targeted illegally imported products considered a potential risk to public health.
The watchdog warned that meat brought into the UK illegally bypasses required safety and hygiene checks and could carry diseases or contaminants. It added that some species, such as pangolins, are critically endangered and banned from commercial trade worldwide.
Inquiries into the discovery are continuing.
Simon Ashwin, senior investigator at the FSA’s National Food Crime Unit, said: “This operation forms part of the NFCU’s ongoing work to disrupt the illegal meat trade and prevent unsafe products from reaching the public.
“The FSA advises consumers not to buy or eat illegally imported meat, including bushmeat, as it may pose serious health risks. If you have concerns about products being sold, contact your local authority.
“We remain vigilant to the threat of illegal meat entering the food chain and will continue to take action to protect the public.”
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