Belgian police seize over 1,000 horses and arrest three in cross-border fraud
Police detained three Belgian suspects after coordinated raids in Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Ireland uncovered a scheme that sold sport horses as low-value slaughter animals.
East Flanders Federal Judicial Police confirmed that three Belgian suspects were arrested during a series of raids in Sint-Gill
is-Waas, Kruisem and Zaventem, as well as in the Netherlands, France and Ireland. The operation, involving more than 200 investigators, targeted a criminal gang that forged passports and shuttled sport horses between countries to sell them as slaughter horses, fetching up to €1,500 per animal. Over 1,000 horses were examined for origin and welfare, and a significant number were seized under both administrative and judicial orders.
Authorities also seized registers, invoices, phones and more than €100,000 in cash. Two of the suspects remain in custody, while the third was released on bail pending further investigation. Ongoing inquiries aim to trace the remaining horses and determine their final destinations.
How this was covered
- The two sides describe this in almost entirely different words
Why it matters
The case reveals a large-scale animal-fraud network that exploits sport horses for profit, raising concerns about animal welfare and illegal trade.
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