Police have arrested a 57-year-old man after 38kg of illegal bushmeat – including pangolins, cane rats and porcupines – was seized from a freezer.
Officials from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) found the wild animals at a site in Deptford, south east London on December 5.
The watchdog said the operation targeted illegally imported meat products which posed potential food safety risks to customers.
It pointed to a danger the imported products could carry diseases and contaminants due to bypassing safety and hygiene checks.
Some of the species – which come from tropical regions – such as pangolins, are also said to be critically endangered, with all commercial trade on them prohibited internationally.
The FSA said inquiries are ongoing.
Simon Ashwin, senior investigator at the organisation’s National Food Crime Unit (NFCU), added: ‘This operation forms part of the NFCU’s ongoing work to disrupt the illegal meat trade and prevent unsafe products from reaching the public.
Officials from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) found the wild animals at a site in Deptford, south east London on December 5. Pictured is one of the frozen Pangolins retrieved
Police arrested a 57-year-old man after 38kg of illegal bushmeat – including pangolins, cane rats and porcupines – was seized from a freezer. Pictured is a frozen cane rat retrieved
‘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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Have we learned NOTHING from Covid? Illegal pangolin meat seized in Deptford