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Out-of-date food seized Police uncover match fixing
POLICE have confiscated huge quantities of food across Spain, including Almeria, Alicante and Murcia, that was unfit for human consumption.
On Thursday, July 27, the Guardia Civil, gave details of Operation Potacar in which they collaborated with the veterinary services of the Provincial Health Department of the Government of Aragon, Valencia and Andalucia, resulting in the seizure of more than 28 tonnes of foodstuffs.
The food was discovered in distribution warehouses located in the provinces of Zaragoza, Valencia and Almeria. During the operation, eight people were arrested and 81 others are being investigated for alleged offences of fraud, public health, falsification of documents and belonging to a criminal group.
The first inspection took place at the premises of a company located in Cuarte de Huerva in Zaragoza.
Investigators seized 1,222 kilos of foodstuffs that were irregular because they had been relabelled with an extension of bestbefore date.
After analysing traceability, the investi gators confirmed that various batches had been sold to other establishments with dates that had been exceeded.
In a second inspection of another company in Zaragoza, the Guardia Civil seized 1,708 kilos of products. Investigators again found evidence of expired consumption dates, as well as food that should have been marketed as fresh produce, but which was frozen before its expiry date and subsequently put on sale with the date exceeded.
In addition to this company, 19 other establishments were inspected throughout Spain, where SEPRONA (Nature Protection Service, a division of the Guardia Civil) found irregularities.
In total, the officers seized 18,196 kilos of products unfit for human consumption.
A JOINT investigation involving the National Police, LaLiga and Europol, has uncovered a criminal organisation specialising in matchfixing.
A report from the National Police on Thursday, July 27 revealed how they investigated a criminal organisation dedicated to matchfixing within the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
Together with LaLiga and Europol, officers of the National Police arrested a total of 17 people. In Melilla, 11 suspects were detained and six in Granada.
Among those arrested were officials and players of a third division RFEF football team, for allegedly committing the crimes of belonging to a criminal organisation, corruption between private individuals in the field of sport, fraud, money laundering and false documentation.
The investigation began last February when the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling, informed officers of several alerts received from different online gambling platforms. Multiple bets had been placed from Melilla on specific results of football matches played by a team from the city.
Simultaneously, LaLiga reported an anonymous communication received through its whistleblower channel, in which they reported suspicious practices of the same football team.
Investigators soon uncovered a complex criminal network, showing that the president of the team himself, managed the rigging, by involving players he trusted. The players also used third parties to place the bets and thus avoid being linked to the bets placed and the matches played.
Police investigations also showed that the same sports club has been the beneficiary of subsidies which were used fraudulently to increase the amounts to be collected.
Seven football matches are still being investigated and further arrests have not been ruled out, and the total amount swindled from the bookmakers cannot yet be quantified.
