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Gruesome Revelations: Unveiled Madrigal Meat Controversy in Madrid

Authorities Discover Unauthorized Meat Vendors in Spain, Uncover Dismaying Facilities during Inspections.

Spanish authorities dismantle unlawful meat vendors; appalling circumstances discovered during...
Spanish authorities dismantle unlawful meat vendors; appalling circumstances discovered during searches.

Gruesome Revelations: Unveiled Madrigal Meat Controversy in Madrid

In Madrid, authorities dismantled a criminal network allegedly selling meat from malnourished and ailing sheep and goats illegally. The illicit merchandise was uncontrolled and sold online to at least nine Asian restaurants and private households, according to the Guardia Civil's police unit. The Madrid region was particularly affected, with five arrests made, and investigations ongoing against twelve others. Four restaurants were temporarily shut down.

During the raid of several illegal slaughterhouses, authorities discovered over 200 sick and dying animals crammed together in San Fernando de Henares, east of the Spanish capital. The animals were kept in squalor, surrounded by severed heads of animals and rats. Over 350 severely malnourished, incurably ill, or deformed animals had to be euthanized.

In addition to the San Fernando facility, also known as a "slaughterhouse of horrors" by media outlets like El País, environmental protection departments of the Guardia Civil searched unregistered livestock farms and abattoirs, as well as industrial halls in the provinces of Ávila, Toledo, and Madrid. The accused individuals stand charged with animal cruelty, public health violations, forgery, membership in a criminal organization, and money laundering.

The case came to light due to cooperation between the Guardia Civil's Seprona unit and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, following continuous outbreaks of diseases such as goat pox. These outbreaks were connected to illegal livestock movements. The operation exposed a hierarchical structure, with members responsible for transportation, slaughter, and illicit distribution of meat.

The investigation continues, with further details currently sealed. The euthanized animals were seized, with plans originally made to send those in better condition to animal sanctuaries. The operation constituted a significant strike against illegal meat trafficking, strengthening health controls and food safety in Spain.

  1. The animal cruelty, public health violations, forgery, membership in a criminal organization, and money laundering charges against the accused individuals in the Madrid case also extend to their involvement in the sale of substandard health-and-wellness products, such as tainted health supplements and contaminated food.
  2. With the dismantling of this criminal organization, authorities in Madrid have initiated a new thrust in their science-based approach to health-and-wellness, crime-and-justice, and general-news reporting, focusing on investigating and exposing such illegal activities that harm the well-being of the public and the environment.

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