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Date Published: 24/05/2023

Motorist faces 1.2m-euro fine after Torrevieja police find dead pig in the boot

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The pork was intended for human consumption but the Alicante driver had no documentation

Motorist faces 1.2m-euro fine after Torrevieja police find dead pig in the boot

A driver faces a hefty fine of up to 1.2 million euros after police discovered a dead pig in the back of his van.

During a routine security check on the AP7 in Torrevieja, officers from the Citizen Security Unit (USECIC) discovered a suspicious package in the boot of a small van, and on inspection, realised it was the corpse of what appeared to be a pig whose meat was destined for human consumption.

A Patrol from the Guardia Civil's Protection of Nature Unit (PAPRONA) was called to the roadside and confirmed that it was indeed a domestic pig.

The driver was unable to prove the origin of the animal, nor its hygienic sanitary condition, and lacked any veterinary proof of its demise.

In addition, the dead animal was being transported in a vehicle that didn't comply with technical and hygienic-sanitary measures, posing a potential risk to public health.

He was denounced for several infractions, which were reported to the Regional Ministry of Universal Health and Public Health, and faces fines of up to 1.2 million euros.

The dead pig was removed for destruction and an investigation is underway to determine its origin.

In a statement, the Guardia Civil's Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA), said the efforts of the PAPRONA surveillance unit had managed to "avoid this meat being consumed by humans, thereby preventing, controlling and eradicating animal diseases, improving the health of animals and their products, protecting human and animal health, and preventing health risks."

Also of interest: easyJet to open new seasonal base at Alicante-Elche airport

Image: Guardia Civil

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