A 57-year-old male has been arrested following an investigation by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), which found 38kg of frozen bushmeat species, including pangolins, cane rats, and porcupines.
FSA’s National Food Crime Unit (NFCU), alongside the London Metropolitan police, discovered the quantities of illegal animal meat during a search operation on a property in Deptford, south-east London on Friday, December 5, 2025.
FSA stated that the man, who was previously arrested, has been “released under investigation”, adding that “enquiries are ongoing.”
Bushmeat
Bushmeat refers to wild animal meat that is commonly hunted and imported from tropical regions such as Africa, Asia, and South America.
According to FSA, the operation targeted illegally imported meat products which pose potential food safety risks to consumers.
The agency explained that illegally imported meat, such as bushmeat, bypasses the rigorous safety and hygiene checks required for food sold in the UK and can carry diseases and contaminants that put consumers at risk.
It also noted that species such as pangolins are also a critically endangered species and all commericial trade of the species is prohibited internationally.
FSA
The senior investigator at the agency’s NFCU, Simon Ashwin commented: “This operation forms part of the NFCU’s ongoing work to disrupt the illegal meat trade and prevent unsafe products from reaching the public.
“The FSA advises consumers not to buy or eat illegally imported meat, including bushmeat, as it may pose serious health risks. If you have concerns about products being sold, contact your local authority.
“We remain vigilant to the threat of illegal meat entering the food chain and will continue to take action to protect the public.
Exports
Meanwhile, the National Sheep Association (NSA) recently confirmed that a number of lorries carrying British lamb carcasses were released to return to the UK after they were seized at a border control post in Calais, France.
The consignments, which were worth approximately £650,000 combined, were impounded by the French veterinary control service (SIVEP) due to reported traces of wool being found on individual carcasses.
All product on the lorries was originally ordered by SIVEP to be destroyed in France following the seizure.
However, an agreement to return the consignments was reached between the UK’s chief veterinary officer (CVO), Christine Middlemiss and French officials.
