According to investigators, the group transported the puppies to Spain for over 15 hours in overcrowded vehicles and then sold them without informing the new owners about the origin of the animals or their poor health.
Some of the cats and dogs were acquired locally from breeders who were asked to modify the birth certificates or issue blank ones so the group could present the animals as younger than they really were.
Many of the animals found on the premises suffered from a multitude of diseases but were still offered for sale. According to the authorities, the pets often died shortly after being purchased.
The gang sold the puppies through advertisements on e-commerce platforms or through a self-developed website. To conclude the sale, they transported them for up to eight hours without allowing them out or providing food or water.
Officers found some cash during the raid and blocked the gang’s bank accounts. The eight arrested individuals are suspected of animal abuse, fraud, forgery, and membership in a criminal organization, the authorities stated.
The National Police of Spain noted that over half a thousand animals, mainly puppies, have been rescued in various operations in the last six months. Just in October 2023, 13 alleged members of a criminal network engaged in illegal pet trade were arrested, and more than 400 puppies and kittens in distressing conditions were rescued.
