CIVIL GUARD NETS MASSIVE CATCH OF ILLEGAL FISH!
Santa Pola has been rocked by a fishy scandal after Spanish authorities seized a whopping 250 kilos of illegally sourced seafood in two separate busts — and the fines could go up to €60,000.
In the first sting, a 63-year-old man was caught stuffing 140 kilos of underage octopus into the trunk of his car—no refrigeration, no documents, and no shame. The catch hadn’t even been declared or sent to auction, putting public health and marine sustainability at risk.
Meanwhile, in a local restaurant, another 110 kilos of dodgy seafood were found stashed in freezers—unlabelled, untraceable, and bought under the table directly from fishermen. Some of the octopus was even half-thawed, and lab checks revealed that many were too young to legally catch.
The 60-year-old restaurant owner may be facing more than just fines — he could be charged with endangering public health, as the fish was already on the menu and being served to diners.
Authorities warn that bypassing the legal seafood chain is a serious threat to consumer safety and the environment. Investigations are ongoing to hook the fishermen behind the illegal haul.
The seized seafood is now in the hands of the Valencian maritime authorities. This scandal could go deeper than it seems.
