The “mafia of eels”, which exports “white gold” to Asia, has passed through Belgium

The eighteen suitcases contained 140 kg of living civelles, a species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Threatened Species (CITES). In addition, It is endangered.

The export of civelles outside the European Union has been prohibited since 2009. Meanwhile, But the temptation is great. In addition. For example, In Asia, the kilo of Civelle is negotiated between 1,000 and 5,000 euros, ten times more than on the European continent …

“More lucrative than drugs. In addition. weapons”: Europe facing the immense illegal traffic of eels

“Small gelatin spaghetti” – "mafia eels", which exports "white

Civelles have the appearance of small translucent gelatinous spaghetti. However, Adults, they become eels. Therefore, “mafia eels”, which exports “white new If. In addition. about fifty years ago, the eel was still the “poor fish”, it became scarce due to the deterioration of its habitat. In the past, they were sometimes “mafia eels”, which exports “white used as a fertilizer, or even to make glue. Today, they are regularly reintroduced to European rivers.

This time of abundance is indeed well over. Some are now talking about “white caviar”, “white gold” or “new ivory” for the civelles. They are all the more sought after as the eel is unable to reproduce in captivity.

Civelles are therefore exported to China to be raised on fish farms. After a few years (seven if they grow naturally). they will become eels ready to be prepared and land on the plates.

A deceased person. more than 140 other intoxicated after consuming a grilled eels: “We take very seriously what happened”

Peu loquaces “mafia eels”, which exports “white new …

Before reaching these fattening farms, the civelles must be transported with care; Which is a similar race against the clock.

Civelles cannot survive more than 48 hours in a confined “mafia eels”, which exports “white aquifer space where oxygen is rare. Traffickers and smugglers must have a well -oiled infrastructure between fishing places, storage places, airports and final destinations.

The six Malaysian passengers holding suitcases seized on February 24, 2023 had been arrested. It was “mules”, acting on behalf of a criminal organization. They were not very tough. They were placed under arrest warrant.

The survey was able to establish that the criminal organization had intermediaries established in the Paris region. where judicial information had been opened in 2021. Its members used different European airports, including that of Zaventem for exports of Civelles.

Ramifications have been uncovered in Belgium, “mafia eels”, which exports “white new especially in the Antwerp region. In April 2023. two searches carried out in Antwerp led to the arrest of three people. to the seizure of 150 kg of Civelles. The young eels were in three plastic basins equipped with “mafia eels”, which exports “white oxygen pumps. A tenth person was arrested in June 2023.

The eel. the most mysterious animal in the world

Last Friday. these ten people were sentenced by the Brussels Criminal Court to sentences between 23 and 46 months in prison, partial suspended for some.

The French survey experienced significant developments in May 2023, leading to searches and 27 arrests in France, Spain and Poland. Some 200. 000 euros as well as goods for an amount of 900. 000 euros had been seized among members of the criminal organization who would have exported for four tonnes of civelles and garnered gains valued at 1.18 “mafia eels”, which exports “white new million euros.