More than four tonnes of illegal meat seized in Dudley

The discovery was made during a joint operation targeting an unapproved meat cutting plant in Dudley, involving Dudley Council and the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU).

West Midlands Police, HMRC, and the Home Office also supported the operation, which resulted in the removal of approximately four-and-a-quarter metric tonnes of illegal meat from the address and immediate enforcement action to address food safety concerns.

Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said: "This operation demonstrates the value of strong partnership working in protecting residents and maintaining confidence in the food supply chain.

"Working alongside the National Food Crime Unit and other enforcement partners, Dudley Council officers helped identify and tackle activity that posed a potential risk to public health.

"The sale of illegal meat bypasses the strict safety and hygiene standards that are in place to protect consumers, making enforcement action like this vital."

Authorities emphasised that meat illegally placed into the food chain does not undergo the required UK safety and hygiene checks, putting consumers at risk of disease and contamination.

The NFCU and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have issued a Food Alert for Action and are working with local authorities to trace and remove the meat from the market.

Officers from the NFCU are now examining the details of the product and paperwork recovered and have started a criminal investigation.

Will Simpson, Regional Intelligence Officer at the FSA’s NFCU, said: "The NFCU has been working closely with partners, including Dudley Council and the West Midlands Police Service, to identify those suspected of criminal activity.

"This operation forms part of the NFCU’s ongoing work to disrupt the illegal meat trade, and we are working with local authorities to trace these products and clear them from shelves."

Mr Harley thanked all agencies involved in the operation and reaffirmed the council’s commitment to taking further action where necessary.

He said: "I would like to thank all the agencies involved for their collaborative work.

"We will continue to work with partners to take robust action against anyone operating outside the law and putting public safety at risk."