Operation Opson IX – Analysis report

In the light of the recent global health crisis, countries need to re-evaluate their approach in tackling the security of the food supply chain by looking into new strategies, increased controls, safer procedures, and preventative measures, while ensuring better protection for law enforcement personnel. The COVID-19 pandemic has probably triggered increased organized crime activity involving medicines and medical devices, alongside with a decrease in organized crime involvement in food crime during the first months of 2020. The results of OPSON IX highlighted that both illicit livestock and meat products remain a threat for public health and potentially add additional risks in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as infection clusters can form and spread rapidly amongst the workers of meat processing plants or in specialized markets.