The Civil Guards carried out a wide-ranging international operation that led to the detention and investigation of 65 individuals across 14 distinct operations. Coordinated under OPSON XI, the effort was organized in partnership with Interpol and Europol and targeted a spectrum of product categories that have long been at the center of consumer concern: horsemeat, honey, meat and fish products, olive oil, spirits, and organic foods. The collaboration focused on ensuring food integrity in the supply chains and protecting the public from fraudulent and unsafe goods that could reach homes and businesses across multiple borders.
Across the participating countries, a total of 74,000 checks were conducted within 26 jurisdictions. These inspections culminated in 137 criminal complaints filed with judicial authorities, 80 arrest warrants issued, and 2,078 violations recorded. The scale of the operation underscored the ongoing commitment to pushing back against fraud in the agri-food sector and to upholding rigorous safety and labeling standards that protect consumers in every region involved.
Eight criminal networks were identified and dismantled as part of the effort. In aggregate, the authorities seized 26,800 tonnes of food products and 15 million litres of alcoholic beverages, illustrating the breadth of illicit trade uncovered during the operation. The seizure figures reflect both the hidden nature of certain supply chains and the government’s resolve to disrupt them at multiple points of the distribution network.
In this edition, agents logged 2,530 checks and inspections across domestic distribution centers, warehouses, retail outlets, transportation fleets, container yards, and financial facilities, extending to ports and airports. The activity demonstrated a comprehensive approach, addressing not just production sites but the entire chain from origin to point of sale and even to the economic operators who facilitate cross-border trade and payment flows.
The initial phase of the operation, spanning December 2021 through May of the current year, saw intensified surveillance and enforcement against agri-food fraud. The focus was on counterfeit production, the distribution of substandard items, and the broader manipulation of supply chains that could mislead consumers or escape proper regulatory oversight. By widening the net across various modalities—manufacturing, distribution, and documentation—authorities aimed to deter future breaches and strengthen accountability within the food economy.
Investigations revealed recurring scheme patterns, including forged documents, the import of defective or non-compliant goods, and the tampering of seals or stamps on containers. These tactics not only undermined market trust but also posed potential risks to consumer health, prompting swift action to halt shipments and pursue legal remedies. Such findings highlight the need for robust verification processes, cross-border information sharing, and consistent enforcement signals to deter future fraud attempts.
In one notable operation, authorities identified an international network in Alicante that trafficked Egyptian oranges contaminated with chlorpyrifos—a pesticide banned for use in the European Union since 2020. A haul of 20 tonnes was intercepted, and 13 individuals faced investigation. The case underscores the importance of rigorous residue testing, transparent supply records, and swift cross-border cooperation to prevent the circulation of produce that fails to meet safety standards.
Seville saw the deployment of a network involved in the large-scale shipping of bulk oil. An investigation was initiated against five individuals linked to the distribution of this product, which was flagged for posing a serious public health risk due to a lack of traceability and potential quality issues. The case illustrates how traceability gaps can enable unsafe goods to enter widespread markets and why diligent monitoring of bulk shipments remains essential in safeguards against compromised imports.
Another striking development involved a Chinese-criminal group linked to the saffron trade. In collaboration with Malaga authorities and Europol, five suspects were arrested and six more were investigated. The operation disrupted the movement of more than 10,000 kilograms of substances that, in reality, had been chemically altered and misrepresented as genuine saffron. The case demonstrates how sophisticated fraud can exploit high-value commodities and the critical role of forensic testing and international cooperation in exposing deceptions at scale.
In Santander, Seprona carried out an investigation into a criminal group responsible for falsifying the identity and transport documents of Cantabrian horses. Six people were arrested and ten others were investigated, with the objective of including these horses illegally in the food chain and exporting them to France without proper compliance with food safety regulations. The investigation highlights the need for rigorous provenance checks, animal welfare considerations, and border controls to prevent the illicit mixing of animal products into the food supply chain.