Europol has helped conduct a major cross-border operation targeting a criminal network suspected of trafficking horses across Belgium, France, Ireland and the Netherlands using falsified passports and manipulated microchips to conceal the animals’ identities and histories. The operation, carried out on 8–9 September, involved almost 200 officers and representatives from different authorities. Twenty-four searches were conducted and more than 1,000 horses were checked. The investigation, led by Belgium, is continuing.
Falsified identities and forged passports
Investigators suspect that horses were given false identities through forged passports and altered microchips, making it difficult to establish their origin, previous history and eligibility for the food chain. Some animals may have been fraudulently resold, while others may have been illegally diverted to slaughter. ‘The case highlights the importance of robust, reliable identification and traceability systems for both animal welfare and food safety, particularly where the eligibility of horses for human consumption is concerned,’ stressed Joe Collins, President of the Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations (Feeva), a member of UEVP.
Coordinated action across four countries
National authorities involved included veterinary and food-safety authorities, police and specialist investigative services. Europol supported information-sharing, operational coordination and real-time analysis, including cross-checking records against its databases. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities examining seized evidence and working to identify other individuals who may be involved in the suspected criminal network. Europol also drew on expertise from Operation OPSON, its initiative targeting food fraud and the trafficking of counterfeit or substandard food products.
(photo ©Europol)