Horsemeat plot was exposed 'after microchips were found in beef packages' court hears
A BUSINESSMAN who sold horsemeat as beef was caught after three horse microchips were discovered in some of the packages he sold, a court heard yesterday.
Andronicos Sideras sold horsemeat as beef
Andronicos Sideras, 55, allegedly used fake labels and dodgy paperwork to trick big companies across Europe into believing it was beef.
But he was allegedly caught out over a botched order which was sent to a cold-store in Northern Ireland, where a random inspection revealed it was a dodgy mixture.
Sideras, who runs a cold-store business, Dinos & Sons, in north London, allegedly mixed at least 30,000kg of cheap horsemeat with beef.
He was caught after three horse microchips were discover din some of the packages
When the beef was analysed three horse ID chips were found inside it
Inspectors found the meat contained three tiny “equine microchips”, heard Inner London Crown Court yesterday.
Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay said in court: “When the beef was analysed three horse ID chips were found inside it.
“Rather like a dog – you can microchip a dog – the same thing can happen to your horse.”
Sideras denies fraud charges relating to horsemeat
Two men linked to botched orders, who worked for a Danish firm, pleaded guilty to fraud last year.
Sideras denies fraud charges relating to horsemeat.
The trial continues.