Govind Tekale
Europol’s latest crackdown reveals how criminal networks are destroying both marine life and human lives. A joint operation across France, Portugal, and Spain has seized 30 tonnes of Japanese clams and glass eels—valuable marine species worth €10 million—harvested from contaminated waters and arresting 62 gang members, including six major crime figures
The traffickers targeted Japanese clams, a popular shellfish in coastal restaurants. These molluscs, when harvested from polluted waters, can store harmful bacteria and viruses. “The continuous consumption of contaminated molluscs puts people at risk of serious diseases such as hepatitis,” Europol warns. These shellfish can accumulate toxins from contaminated waters, making them dangerous for consumption.
The trafficking ring operated like a well-oiled machine. They forced workers from Asian countries to harvest these contaminated shellfish, paying them just €1 per kilo. The same molluscs were then sold for €25 per kilo in markets. This massive price difference helped authorities spot the exploitation.
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The operation uncovered something unprecedented—the first proven link between environmental crime and human trafficking in the EU. The criminals adapted their tactics with the seasons, switching between clams and glass eels throughout the year to maintain steady profits.
Backed by Europol’s Environmental Crime Unit, the seizure happened just before the Christmas season, preventing the distribution of contaminated seafood during the holiday period.
This case shows how seafood trafficking endangers public health through contaminated products. The criminal operations also revealed organized exploitation of workers in the illegal seafood trade.
