An illegal sausage production operation whose products were destined for Belgium has been dismantled in a garage in northern France. Hundreds of kilos of meat processed without health checks are believed to have been prepared in the garage in Marpent near Maubeuge before being sold to Belgian chip shops. Two suspects, both of whom are Belgian nationals, have been arrested and placed under judicial supervision. The vast clandestine network that was producing meat-based snacks such as fricadelles for the Belgian market was discovered and dismantled
by the investigative unit of the Avesnes-sur-Helpe gendarmerie. Their investigation, launched following health inspections carried out in Belgium, led them to a discreet garage on the other side of the Franco-Belgian border. Inside, the investigators discovered an illegal food processing workshop. Meat was stored in conditions deemed unsanitary, and several people were found working without being registered. Fricadelles, mexicanos, merguez and other products were then transported to Belgium and sold. In addition to the hundreds of kilos of meat seized, tens of thousands of euros
in cash were also confiscated. At this stage of the investigation, no French establishments are believed to be involved in ordering the illegally processed meat. Photo: Kliek/Wikimedia. Licensed under Creative Commons
illegal fricadelle producer, Marpent, Maubeuge, Belgian market, Avesnes-sur-Helpe gendarmerie, clandestine meat workshop, unregistered workers, unsanitary storage, health checks, judicial supervision