A Swansea man has been ordered to pay back more than £31,000 in profits after being found guilty of illegally producing and selling “smokie” meat — a banned delicacy made from singed sheep or goat carcasses.
Ian Thomas, 46, of Gorseinon Road, Penllergaer, was handed the confiscation order at Isleworth Crown Court last month following a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing brought by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and its National Food Crime Unit (NFCU).
Thomas was found to have played a key role in the slaughter, manufacture and distribution of smokies across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, placing unsafe food on the market and breaching hygiene regulations.
What are smokies — and why are they banned?
Smokies are a traditional West African delicacy made by singeing the fleece off an unskinned sheep or goat carcass, giving the meat a golden-brown colour and smoky odour. However, the process is illegal in the UK due to serious public health risks, including potential contamination with E. coli and Salmonella.
Because smokies are typically produced in unapproved premises, they fall outside the UK’s strict food safety standards — and pose a risk to consumers and legitimate businesses alike.
“We will recover the profits”
David Williams, Senior Financial Investigator at the NFCU, said the case sends a clear message:
“We’re not just content to prosecute those who commit food crime — we will also pursue them to recover the profits they made and recoup taxpayers’ money spent on investigating and prosecuting them.”
“Food crime puts communities at risk and undermines legitimate business. We’re committed to disrupting and stopping the criminal element.”
The FSA says it has explored the possibility of safe, legal smokie production, but current regulations prevent it.
Anyone with concerns about food fraud or illegal meat production can report anonymously via Food Crime Confidential or call 0800 028 1180.
