Four held for selling stale fish, prawns

Metro India News | Hyderabad

The Hyderabad Commissioner's Task Force (Golconda Zone), in a joint operation with Mangalhat Police, busted an illegal seafood preservation and supply racket operating from Tara Fisheries at Machipura Baitak in Mangalhat. Four persons, including the owner, were apprehended for allegedly storing and selling stale fish and prawns under unhygienic conditions.

Police seized 100 kg of prawns, 162 kg of fish, 10 kg of sodium bicarbonate powder and six bags of salt, with the total value of the seized property estimated at Rs. 90,000.

According to police, the accused allegedly purchased fish and prawns at low prices from Begum Bazaar Fish Market and preserved them for long periods in deep freezers and plastic tubs containing stagnant water. Sodium bicarbonate was reportedly used to suppress foul odour before the seafood was supplied to hotels, marriage functions and events as fresh produce, posing serious health risks to consumers.