Police seize 'unknown meat' from Glasgow business

Police have seized "unknown meat" from a Glasgow shop as part of a crackdown on illegal businesses in the city.

A total of 22 premises were searched as part of Operation Machinize, a UK-wide operation targeting economic crime, exploitation of people and the evasion of customs and excise duties.

The meat was found in a convenience store alongside rotten meat and has since been sent away for testing to determine what it is. The results are expected in a couple of weeks.

Officers reported a number of people and seized 15,000 counterfeit cigarettes during the operation, which saw nail bars, vape bars and car washes also raided.

Six people were arrested and reported for immigration offences and a number of reports were made for HMRC offences.

Three businesses were referred to environmental health for poor standards with a further one being referred to the local authority for poor standards.

The Glasgow Times reported Police Scotland as saying the meat could have been sourced from an underground market, while the shop had "considerably poor food standards".

The Home Office, HMRC, Trading Standards, the Department of Work and Pensions and the Food Standards agency worked alongside the police on the operation.

Four people were reported by the Department of Work and Pensions for claiming benefits while being employed.

Ch Insp Stevie McManus said: "These are not victimless crimes and we will continue to do all we can tackle illegal business practices.

"Multi-agency operations like these underline our commitment to tackling serious and organised crime, working together as part of Scotland's serious organised crime taskforce."

Ian Cowie, the head of food crime operations at Food Standards Scotland, said: "Those involved in the illicit trade of goods, including untraceable and unsafe food, place consumers at unnecessary risk and gain an unfair advantage over legitimate businesses.

"Through Operation Machinize, Food Standards Scotland is working alongside Police Scotland, local authorities and partner agencies to identify and tackle non-compliance and criminal activity.

"We will continue to use intelligence, enforcement and strong partnership working to protect consumers and safeguard public health."