Seven tonnes of clams unfit for human consumption seized in hit against illegal fisheries

Contaminated clams as major health riskIn the border region between Portugal and Spain, the so-called ‘Manila or Japanese clam’ (Ruditapes philippinarum) is harvested illegally in the river Tajo. The criminal modus operandi is simple: illicitly fished clams are gathered and kept alive in water containers to be later introduced to the legal market. To that end, criminals use fake documentation, therefore bypassing any administrative and health inspection measures. Typically, the clams are distributed in Portugal, Spain and even France and Italy, posing a serious risk for consumers. Consumption of contaminated clams may cause food poisoning, gastroenteritis or hepatitis.Several hits against illegal clam fishersInvestigators estimate that the total profits of this illegal business may average up to EUR 2.5 million per week. These proceeds are laundered in various ways, such as with the purchasing and re-selling of luxury vehicles. The suspects’ activities go well beyond environmental crime, with trafficking of human beings - often irregular migrants - for labour exploitation in the fisheries a regular occurrence. Authorities believe that those forced to work under such conditions are paid as little as one or one-and-a-half euros per harvested kilo of clams by the criminals.This Europol-supported investigation, which started in April of this year, led to two action days carried out on 23 and 24 June as well as 30 July 2025. Apart from arresting 11 suspects, law enforcement seized 7 vehicles. The suspects may face charges such as environmental crime, money laundering, document fraud, as well as food and human health fraud.Europol supported the investigation from the start, which took place when the Guardia Civil seized a shipment of 235 kilo of clams and shared this information via Europol’s secure communication channel SIENA, thus setting in motion further operational activities. Europol funded several meetings attended by lead investigators and provided an around-the-clock virtual command post. The Agency’s environmental crime experts coordinated and supported their national colleagues by providing operational and analytical support. On the action days, one Europol expert with a mobile office was deployed on the spot, and Portuguese officers were deployed to Huelva, Spain.Participating authorities:Spain: Guardia Civil Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA)Portugal: Economic and Food Safety Authority (ASAE); Maritime Police (Polícia Marítima)