Chilean police take down gang selling salmon fillets made from morts
Criminal organisation said to include filleters, smokers, and truckers
Chilean police have busted a criminal organisation making millions of pesos a week by stealing, filleting, and selling salmon farming mortalities that were meant to be used for the manufacture of by-products.
Detectives of the Puerto Montt Criminal Investigation Brigade said the group, led by a 43-year-old man from Puerto Montt, was made up of more than 30 people and was hierarchical with a well-defined structure. It included crews dedicated to the subtraction of salmon mortalities, filleters, smokers, and truckers.
According to investigators, the gang's modus operandi consisted of diverting truckers hauling salmon destined for by-product manufacture to the Huelmo sector in Puerto Montt. That's where the thieves stole the salmon after reviewing and selecting the fish from the cargo bins, setting aside those that were in better condition to be processed, that is, filleted and vacuum sealed, or sold as “fresh salmon”.
Those in the worst state of conservation - on the verge of putrefaction - were subjected to a smoking process for later sale.
A family affair
It is estimated that the operation has been carried out for years, allowing the gang's leader to obtain large profits, and consequently acquire movable and immovable property. He is said to have operated the illegal activity together with his partner, children and other dependent relatives.
According to the data collected, the organisation could generate profits of around 16 million pesos (£15,100) per week. In a coordinated operation called “Atlántico II”, more than 15 detectives participated in the simultaneous arrest of 33 people, the seizure of 24 vehicles in addition to weapons, ammunition and more than 80 million pesos in cash.
Charges laid today
Prefect Claudio Ramos, head of the Llanquihue Provincial Prefecture, said that the accused will be charged today for illicit association, money laundering, robbery, theft and violation of article 315 of the Penal Code. Some members of the gang will be charged with crimes against public health, and possession of ammunition.
The regional prosecutor of Los Lagos, Carmen Gloria Wittwer, said the investigation began two years ago, “and shows how serious, professional, coordinated and legal work to generate the means of evidence has positive results”.
