A man has been arrested after an 11kg haul of illegal bushmeat – including rat, antelope and even an animal’s paw – was seized.

The morbid discovery was made at an address in Peckham, south east London, in a joint investigation by the Met Police and the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Nauseating photos show what appear to be splayed out rodents, chunks of dark, nondescript meat and the paw of an animal which species has not been disclosed.

A 51–year–old male was arrested and released under investigation following the vile discovery. 

The operation targeted illegally imported meat products that pose potential food safety risks to consumers in the UK.

Bushmeat is the name given to wild animal meat that has been hunted, often from species found in tropical regions.

Illegally imported meat bypasses rigorous safety and hygiene checks required for food sold in the UK and can carry parasites, contaminants and zoonotic diseases, such as Ebola and HIV, that put consumers at risk.

David Toms–Sheridan, Head of Investigations in the South of England and Wales at the NFCU, explained enquiries into the seizure were ongoing.

Nauseating photos show what appear to be splayed out rodents, chunks of dark, nondescript meat and the paw of an animal which species has not been disclosed

A 51–year–old male was arrested and released under investigation following the discovery

The discovery was made at an address in Peckham, south east London , in a joint investigation by the Met Police and the Food Standards Agency (FSA)

He said: ‘The NFCU has been working closely with the Metropolitan Police Service and other Subject Matter Experts to identify those suspected of being involved in this criminality.

‘This operation forms part of the NFCU’s ongoing work to disrupt the illegal meat trade and prevent unsafe products from reaching the public.

‘The FSA advises consumers not to buy or eat illegally imported meat, including bushmeat, as it may pose serious health risks.

‘If you have concerns about products being sold, contact your local authority.

‘We remain vigilant to the threat of illegal meat entering the food chain and will continue to take action to protect the public.’

It comes after a 57–year–old man was arrested in December following the discovery of 38kg of illegal bushmeat, including pangolins, cane rats and porcupines, in a freezer.

Officials from the FSA found the wild animals at a site in Deptford, south east London on December 5.

Disturbing images showed a the bodies of a cane rat and a pangolin covered in a layer of frost from the meat–packed freezer they were seized from. 

In February last year, the Daily Mail revealed that banned bushmeat was being smuggled into the UK and sold for home delivery via social media.

The Mail found one TikTok profile, called LocalFoodsDiary based in Lagos, Nigeria, that claims to have ‘freshly dried’ porcupine and ‘grasscutter’ – known as the greater cane rat – ‘very much available’.

It comes after a 57–year–old man was arrested in December following the discovery of 38kg of illegal bushmeat, including pangolins, cane rats and porcupines, in a freezer 

Disturbing images showed a the bodies of a cane rat and a pangolin covered in a layer of frost from the meat–packed freezer they were seized from 

In February last year, the Daily Mail revealed that banned bushmeat was being smuggled into the UK and sold for home delivery via social media 

The seller above used TikTok to advertise meat including dried porcupine and alligator lizard

The Food Standards Agency advises consumers not to buy or eat bushmeat or other illegal meat, as it may be unsafe 

It also boasted how easy it is to get bushmeat into the UK, showing a package with a London postcode and the caption: ‘Bushmeat package arrived UK.’

It even offered a ‘United Kingdom Combo deal’ including ‘1 antelope or grasscutter’ ‘1 full goat meat’ and ’50 pieces of dried snails’ for £397.

Another profile called ‘kjsaraha’ offers UK ‘doorstep delivery’ within 11 days and ‘express’ shipping for ‘contraband’ items including ‘ponmo fish, dried snail, kilishi [a form of jerky] and dried meat’.

Nearly 100 tons of illegal meat was confiscated at Dover in 2024 – a rise of more than 75 per cent on 2023.

The Food Standards Agency advises consumers not to buy or eat bushmeat or other illegal meat, as it may be unsafe.