Although there has been little news recently, investigations are still continuing and may still result in prosecutions – as well, of course, as the remedial actions taken by supermarkets and others to ensure that their supply chains cannot in future be corrupted.
Just last week, the City Of London Police issued the following:
‘In its role as the national policing lead for fraud, the City of London Police was asked to support the Food Standards Agency (FSA) with its inquiry into how products became adulterated with horse meat.
‘Using its National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, the force was initially asked to review all the available evidence that has been collected by law enforcement agencies in the UK and Europe, as well as from the FSA’s own regulatory activity taking place in different parts of the country.
‘As a consequence of this activity, a police investigation was launched in May and during the initial stages of their enquiries, City of London Police detectives arrested two men on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and interviewed a further two men under caution. Additionally, a number of search warrants were executed at business and home addresses throughout the UK.
‘Detective Chief Superintendent Oliver Shaw, from the City of London Police, said:
“This is an extremely complex investigation covering a number of jurisdictions and a variety of businesses. We are working closely with police forces, other law enforcement agencies and regulators to determine whether horse meat being used in a range of meat products was deliberate and coordinated criminal activity.”