Spanish tuna ranching giant Ricardo Fuentes e Hijos on Tuesday deniedallegations it was involved in a €25 million ($28.2 million) illegal tuna trading operation currently under investigation by Spanish authorities, a top executive told IntraFish.
Spain's federal law enforcement agency, Guardia Civil, uncovered a network of illegal tuna harvesting and trade it claims was spearheaded by Murcia-based Ricardo Fuentes e Hijos, with the knowledge and support of Malta's top fisheries regulator.
Documents leaked to Spanish newspaper El Confidencial reportedly show the company gave bribes to Malta Government Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Director General Adreina Fenech, who allegedly allowed the trade of the illegally caught and unreported tuna.
