LUKE. Through a police control, 300 kilos of meat of unknown origin were seized yesterday. The food was transported in 20 common bags and in a funcargo-type vehicle without a cold chain. The driver was arrested and now the Public Ministry is investigating whether the meat is bovine or equine, as well as whether it was purchased in national territory or smuggled in from Argentina.
July 11, 2023 – 1:56 PM
Yesterday, Monday, agents from the 28th Mora Cue de Luque Police Station, during a control carried out on the Luque – Limpio route, saw a small vehicle that was apparently carrying a very heavy load, since the body “almost dragged along the asphalt.”
After the intervention, the police realized that inside the vehicle of the Toyota brand, funcargo type, there were several bags with meat that was transported, apparently, without complying with the required sanitary regulations.
The fact was communicated to the prosecutor on duty of Unit No. 2 of the Luque Zonal Prosecutor’s Office, Jorge Escobar. Immediately, the Public Ministry agent summoned officials from the National Animal Health Service (Senacsa).
The criminal type investigated is configured in the crime “harmful marketing of food”, with a maximum penalty of up to three years of imprisonment or a fine.
Read More: They seize 300 kilos of meat of dubious origin
Beef or horse meat?
In total, 300 kilos of meat of dubious origin were seized. Now the animal origin is being investigated and whether it was acquired in national territory or smuggled in from the border with Argentina.
“The seized meat was stored for analysis. A designated veterinarian also participated in the procedure and said that the meat must be analyzed to determine if it is of bovine (cow) or equine (horse) origin. The specialists said that when the meat is transported in this way it is no longer suitable for consumption. “We have already requested several reports on the origin of the merchandise,” said the prosecutor.
The driver of the vehicle identified as Iluminada Maximiliana Ortigoza Benítez, 59, was taken to the Luque Prosecutor’s Office, where she refrained from testifying.
“During the control carried out by the police officers, they saw the funcargo-type vehicle that was almost dragging on the asphalt and it caught their attention because generally, this type of vehicle brings contraband merchandise, marijuana or meat of dubious origin,” said the prosecutor. escobar.
Read More: Butcher shops intervene for alleged sale of horse meat to lomiterías and barbecue stalls
According to the investigations, the first irregularity in the transport of seized meat is that the meat is not refrigerated, so the cold chain is cut and the protection of food is at risk. The driver also did not present the authorization for said type of transport, which must be issued by Senacsa.
“Supposedly, the meat was taken to a Limpio refrigerator. The driver of the vehicle, Mrs. Iluminada, was summoned by the Public Ministry, but she refrained from testifying. We also summoned the owner of the vehicle, Mr. Gilberto González, who also abstained. We are investigating the case,” said prosecutor Jorge Escobar.
Investigate invoice issued
Prosecutor Jorge Escobar also indicated that Gilberto González was summoned for an investigative statement, but he himself refrained from testifying.
To justify the alleged commercialization of the meat, González presented an invoice issued by his butcher shop called “Bonanza”. According to the detail of the document, the 300 kilos of meat were sold at G. 50,000 per kilogram. Now the Public Ministry is investigating the alleged buyer, who would be a Limpio refrigerator.
2023-07-11 17:56:00
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