A Hialeah man has been cuffed for selling an undercover informant roughly 40 pounds of horse meat, an act that is not only frowned upon but also illegal in Miami, officials report.
39-year-old Alain Arencibia-Diaz from Miami found himself on the wrong side of the law after Miami-Dade Police's Agricultural Investigative Unit received a tip about a horse that was butchered to have its meat sold on the down low, as confirmed by CBS Miami. The detective work led to a sting operation on Wednesday when the suspect handed over the illicit meat in a Home Depot parking lot in exchange for $500.
The exchange, detailed by officers, took place with Arencibia providing the questionable goods in a sizeable black plastic bag. This deal was interrupted by the swift hand of justice, as Arencibia was nabbed post-transaction, NBC Miami reports.
Now facing charges for buying, selling, and possessing horse meat, Arencibia-Diaz's actions draw the ire of animal rights activists and also pose questions about the underground and unsanitary meat trade in the sun-drenched lanes of Miami.
Authorities encourage anyone with knowledge of similar illegal activities to step forward and contact CrimeStoppers.
