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Gardaí, with the support of Europol, have conducted searches across Ireland and Europe targeting a criminal network suspected of large-scale horse trafficking. The investigation centres on the manipulation of horse passports and microchips to obscure the animals' true identities and histories, potentially diverting them into the food chain without proper traceability.
Europol said some of the animals may have been diverted into the food chain without their true origin and history being knownsaid some of the animals may have been diverted into the food chain without their true origin and history being known, “undermining” the traceability systems designed to protect animal welfare and food safety.
Investigators are working to establish the final destination of the animals as investigations are ongoing and seized evidence is under analysis. More than 1,000 horses were checked. Donald Trump pledges $5,000 for each US citizen if Republicans win midterms Gaffe at Leonard’s Corner review: Super prices and a dribblingly good cheeseburger at this neighbourhood pubsaid investigations are ongoing into a criminal network suspected of trafficking horses across Europe, with searches taking place in six counties.
The criminal network is suspected of forging horse passports and manipulating microchips to conceal the animals’ true identities and grant them new ones, obscuring their true background and eligibility for human consumption. Across Europe, 25 searches were conducted in connection to horse trafficking, including eight in Ireland The force’s searches, which were supported by Europol, took place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Nearly 200 officers and representatives of different authorities took part in the operation across the Republic, Belgium, France and the Netherlands. Across Europe, 25 searches were conducted in total, including eight in Ireland. Searches were conducted in Galway, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Kildare, Dublin and Donegal by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
The investigation, led by Belgian authorities, centred on the alleged large-scale trade of horses whose identification details and histories were fraudulently altered, enabling their movement and resale throughout Europe. Searches were assisted by officers from the Belgian Police and Europol as well as the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Europol also provided support in information exchange, operational coordination and analytical expertise.
In a statement, the Garda said it “remains committed to disrupting serious and organised crime and safeguarding public health and animal welfare across Ireland”. Son of Gerry Hutch remanded in custody charged with serious organised crime offencesFour HSE regions to lose power over day-to-day spendingLATEST STORIESRóisín Ní Riain wins gold in 100m backstroke at European Para ChampionshipsSolheim Cup: Leona Maguire to team up with Esther Henseleit for opening foursomes
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