site.btaIllegal Slaughterhouses Discovered on Two Private Properties in SW Bulgaria

Illegal slaughterhouses on two private properties in the village of Chiflik, Kardzhali Region (Southwest Bulgaria), were discovered during a joint operation by the Regional Directorate for Food Safety in Kardzhali and the Economic Police, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency reported Thursday.

According to the Agency, inspectors found 80 ear tags from large livestock during the check. This indicates that tons of meat from the two slaughterhouses were of unknown origin and had not undergone veterinary-sanitary control. The authorities added that the tags will be used to verify the origin of the animals and their owners.

At the first slaughterhouse, agency inspectors found about 100 kilograms of beef of unverified origin. At the second, they discovered approximately 230 kilograms of beef, 10 kilograms of beef offcuts, and four animal hides. All of the seized products will be destroyed, and pre-trial proceedings will be opened against the property owners. 

The press office of the police in Kardzhali also provided information on the case, noting that the pre-trial investigation concerns violations of the rules for storing animal products. The investigation is conducted under Article 350, paragraph 2 of the Penal Code, which stipulates that “anyone who violates the rules governing the acquisition, production, processing, storage, or trade of animals, raw materials, food, or beverages intended for public consumption, thereby endangering the health or life of others, shall be punished by imprisonment of up to three years.”