A man has pleaded guilty at to conspiring to place unsafe food on the market following an investigation by the Food Standards Agency’s National Food Crime Unit (NFCU).
Carmello Gale, aged 71, from Llandysul in Wales, pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to conspiring to place smokie meat on the market.
The act is an offence under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 and the Criminal Law Act 1977.
Gale was granted bail by the court pending sentencing, which FSA said will take place in due course.
‘Smokies’ refers primarily to skin-on sheep meat, produced by singeing the fleece off the unskinned carcass, giving it a golden-brown colour and smoky odour. Their production is illegal in the UK, resulting in the process being carried out in unapproved premises, which FSA said are unlikely to comply with the strict hygiene standards and requirements for meat or food preparation.
This comes as Ian Thomas of Swansea was ordered to pay £31,250.51 in 2025 for his involvement in the illegal slaughter, manufacture and distribution of ‘smokies’ across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
“The NFCU will not stop in its efforts to identify, investigate and bring to justice those who seek to exploit our food system.”
Neil Castle, NFCU
Neil Castle, deputy head of the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU), commented: “Carmello Gale is considered a significant figure in the illegal smokies trade, with the investigation uncovering his involvement in the wide-scale distribution of smokies across the UK.
“This guilty plea reflects the work of everyone involved in this investigation. I would like to thank our colleagues at Food Standards Scotland, Ceredigion County Council, Dyfed-Powys Police, Southwark Council, Swansea Council, and Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit in South Wales, for their support.
“The NFCU will not stop in its efforts to identify, investigate and bring to justice those who seek to exploit our food system. If anyone has suspicions or concerns regarding smokies or food fraud, you can contact your local Trading Standards or discuss it with us confidentially on 0800 028 1180.”
