Gang sold tons of horse meat disguised as beef, Brazilian officials say

(CNN)A pack of six radical accused of stealing horses for slaughter and selling the nutrient to restaurants disguised arsenic beef has been arrested successful confederate Brazil, according to officials.

A connection from the Public Ministry of Rio Grande bash Sul (MPRS) connected Thursday said the pack distributed much than 800 kilograms (1,763 pounds) of hidden equine nutrient per week to restaurants successful the Caxias bash Sul region. Up to 60% of restaurants successful the country with beef connected the paper had unwittingly bought equine nutrient from the pack disguised successful steaks and hamburgers, nationalist wellness officials said.

Inspectors besides discovered different forms of spoiled nutrient -- including rotting pork, turkey and leftover nutrient from pig-feeding establishments -- were mixed wrong the hamburgers, according to the statement.

Officials said an probe was launched 2 months agone aft the section Agricultural Defense Inspectorate raised the alarm. Forensic tests carried retired successful restaurants selling hamburgers successful Caxias bash Sul confirmed the beingness of equine DNA successful the food, according to authoritative Alcindo Bastos, who coordinated the operation.

The six radical arrested are besides accused of moving an amerciable abattoir with mediocre hygiene, insanitary conditions and without the authorization to process oregon merchantability immoderate benignant of meat.