1690191114 14 people between the ages of 23 and 70 were

14 people between the ages of 23 and 70 were identified for collecting 247 kilos of snails without hygienic control

14 people between the ages of 23 and 70 were

The Civil Guard have identified 14 people, between the ages of 23 and 70, for violating the Natural Heritage and Biodiversity Act by illegally collecting snails and attempting to sell them for human consumption.

The operation was carried out in early July, although it was announced earlier this Monday when a Guardia Civil patrol, along with another patrol from the local Guadassuar police, intercepted and identified 14 people carrying 23 net bags full of garden snails (cornu aspersum) who were planning to sell these people in various locations for later human consumption.

After SEPRONA’s special patrol verified that they had been sold to some restaurant establishments in the Camp de Morvedre region and that their origin was illegal, they were confiscated. A total of 247 kilograms of snails worth around 3,500 euros were confiscated, the Guardia Civil said in a statement.

All identified Moroccan nationals were accused of violating Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity by illegally collecting snails and attempting to sell them for human consumption.

The Civil Guard warns that the consumption of snails collected or farmed outside the legal channels and in approved establishments can cause various diseases such as schistosomiasis, fascioliasis, eosinophilic meningitis (cerebral angiostrongyliasis) and abdominal angiostrongyliasis, without taking this into account when these mollusks have been in contact with any phytosanitary product in their wild life.

Since not all snails are edible, you should avoid eating snails in the wild. So if you are not sure about their origin, type or handling, you should definitely avoid eating snails.

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Pregnant women and children should, however, be particularly careful, the snails must be boiled and washed very well before consumption, and their origin must always be checked.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, responsible for sanctioning, was informed of these facts. The actions were carried out by parts of the Ontinyent SEPRONA Patrol, the Carlet Main Post and the local Guadassuar Police.