A large illegal home kill operation has been uncovered in Auckland by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Photo: 123rf.com
The Ministry found a refrigerated container, a truck, unregulated meat and a large amount of food processing equipment.
MPI Northern region investigations manager Simon Anderson said compliance officers yesterday executed six search warrants at rural and urban addresses in the west and south of the city.
"This was a large-scale, sophisticated operation involving more than 100 customers.
"A number of people are now being spoken to as a result of our investigation."
Mr Anderson said people should source their meat from regulated outlets, because in the lead up to Christmas illegal home kill operations were more prevalent.
He said it was easy to tell what was legal and what was not.
"If whole beasts are being sold, then the carcass must be stamped by an abattoir. Processed meat sold in trays in shops should be labelled.
"Any suspicious or unlicensed meat sellers should be reported. If we receive information about these kind of operations we will shut them down and prosecute the people making money from selling potentially substandard product."
Mr Anderson said illegal home kill was a public health concern and individuals involved in illegal activity faced a prison term of up to five years and a fine of up to $100,000.