One arrest made as illegal bushmeat seized in NFCU operation

On Friday 5 December, NFCU officers, together with the Metropolitan police, attended a location in Deptford where they seized 38kg of frozen bushmeat species including pangolins, cane rats and porcupines. Bushmeat is wild animal meat that has been hunted, often from species found in tropical regions. 

A 57-year-old male was arrested and released under investigation.  

The operation targeted illegally imported meat products which pose potential food safety risks to consumers. Illegally imported meat bypasses the rigorous safety and hygiene checks required for food sold in the UK and can carry diseases and contaminants that put consumers at risk. Species such as pangolins are also a critically endangered species and all commercial trade is prohibited internationally.  

Enquiries are ongoing. 

“This operation forms part of the NFCU’s ongoing work to disrupt the illegal meat trade and prevent unsafe products from reaching the public.  

The FSA advises consumers not to buy or eat illegally imported meat, including bushmeat, as it may pose serious health risks. If you have concerns about products being sold, contact your local authority. 

We remain vigilant to the threat of illegal meat entering the food chain and will continue to take action to protect the public." 

Simon Ashwin, Senior Investigator at the NFCU

Frozen pangolin that was seized by the FSA's National Food Crime Unit and Metropolitan Police.