Three suspects have been arrested on suspicion of passing off sport horses as horses for slaughter during raids in Sint-Gillis-Waas and Kruisem (East Flanders) and Zaventem (Flemish Brabant) East Flanders Federal Judicial Police have confirmed. By forging passports and constantly moving the horses trained for equestrian competitive disciplines around both at home and abroad, they were able to sell sport horses as slaughter horses. This earned the suspects considerably more money.
International intelligence revealed that Belgians too were involved in malpractices in the international horse sector. Horses were being traded from Ireland to the European mainland, with some of them ending up in slaughterhouses here.
A horse dealer from East Flanders was found to have played a key role in this, according to the Federal Judicial Police of East Flanders. The horse dealer also collaborated with others from the Netherlands, France and Ireland.
The gang sold sport horses that had been given all sorts of medication as slaughter horses, because this yielded the trader and the others much more money. Sport horses of little value could fetch up to 1,500 euros as slaughter horses.
24 searches at home and abroad
A total of 24 premises were raided in Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Ireland: 4 in Belgium, 7 in the Netherlands, 7 in France and 6 in Ireland. More than 200 investigators were deployed, both at home and abroad.
In Belgium, the raids took place in Sint-Gillis-Waas, Kruisem and Zaventem. “Three Belgian suspects were arrested during these searches,” East Flanders Federal Judicial Police say.
The identity, origin and welfare of more than 1,000 horses was also checked. “A significant number were seized under administrative and judicial orders. Further investigations are underway to determine where other horses involved have been taken”.
In addition to the seizure of horses, registers, invoices and communication devices were also seized. Furthermore, more than 100,000 euros in cash was found and seized.
Two suspects remanded in custody, third released on bail
Three suspects appeared before an investigating judge on Wednesday. Two of them were remanded in custody, whilst the third suspect was released on bail.