Accelerating the recovery of the European Eel

Counter-trafficking Summary – May-June 2023

Summary of recent counter-trafficking news – updated 27/06/2023

Law enforcement casts net over 256 eel smugglers | Europol

With an increase of over 50 percent in arrests and seizures, Operation LAKE’s latest season marked a new record as the most successful yet. Among the 256 arrested were nationals of China, Malaysia, France, Spain and Portugal, including two high-value targets and fifty of their closest associates.

LATEST UPDATE ON CURRENT COURT CASE IN VENDEÉ FOR TWO INVOLVED (27/06/23)
  • 100,000 euro fine each
  • 18 months suspended prison sentence
  • 3 years in prison
  • 750,000 euro fine for civil parties
“European trafficking ring dismantled”
  • Joint operation by the Spanish Civil Guard, French National Gendarmerie, and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) dismantles transnational eel trafficking ring.
  • Seizures made during the operation include 1.5 tons of live elvers, assets worth €900,000, and cash amounting to €200,000.
  • Total of 27 people arrested during the operation on May 10, 20 people placed in police custody the following days, and ten people prosecuted after 30 simultaneous searches conducted in Spain, France, Belgium, and Poland.
  • Investigations into the eel trafficking ring were initiated in 2021 by SEPRONA, French Customs, OCLAESP, Europol and OLAF.
  • Investigations ongoing
“Nova-Scotia glass eel fishery closure”
  • Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) close elver fishery after outbreaks of poaching and violence April 14th 2023
  • Officers in Halifax seize 113kg live elvers, $15,792 cash and 2 vehicles after poaching continues

For full sources and links to full news stories see Trafficking Updates

Trafficking UPDATES




LET'S MAKE A DIFFERENCE
HELP US SUPPORT THE RECOVERY OF THE EUROPEAN EEL