17 netted in Chilean Navy swoop against salmon thieves

Police and the Navy in Chile have arrested 17 people in an operation aimed at dismantling a criminal organisation dedicated to stealing salmon from farms in the Chiloé area, Fish Farming Expert's Chilean sister site, Salmonexpert.cl, reports.

The operation, named “Marejada”, was the result of two months of investigation and also resulted in the seizure of two vehicles, a crane truck, a small vessel, and an undetermined amount of salmonid species.

The operation included the participation of Navy personnel from the Southern Maritime Police Investigations Section – Dipolmar of the Castro Maritime Governor's Office and the Port Captaincies of Castro, Quellón, and Chonchi.

It was learned that the detainees’ criminal activity involved more than 10 tonnes of salmon.