Tuna Linked To Italian Seafood Tax-Fraud Probe

Tuna was among four seafood products involved in an alleged EUR 87 million money-laundering and tax-fraud scheme involving a criminal organization uncovered by Italian authorities.

Italy’s Financial Police Unit, part of the Guardia di Finanza, began searches and seizures last week after an investigation uncovered a criminal organization selling tuna, salmon, sea bass and other seafood, mainly to operators in Sweden, Greece and Spain, without paying value-added tax. The companies also obtained loans that were never repaid. The firms sold seafood at lower prices than competitors, undermining fair competition, while proceeds were reinvested in real estate and other commercial activities, reported SeafoodSource. According to investigators, 14 individuals and corporations were involved in the scam.