Croc shockBy Haringey IndependentA RAID on a Tottenham shop has uncovered a crocodile's head and bush rats. The Kejeta Mini Market, in West Green Road, was stormed by environmental health officers and police who found a range of meat not fit for sale. The crocodile's head, found in a freezer, was said to be between eight and nine inches long and would have come from a two to three-feet-long baby crocodile. The products had not been checked for any disease and could possibly have been carrying bacteria that can cause serious illness. The seized meat went before Haringey Magistrates Court last Wednesday where it was condemned and court orders were made against shop owners Awame and Pauline Owusu. When it was examined by health officials, the meat was found not to have any visible health marks or traceability records, meaning that it may have been illegally imported into the UK. Cllr Ray Dodds, Haringey Council's lead member for the environment, said: "Haringey residents are entitled to buy food that is fit to eat and we shall continue to protect the public by removing from sale unfit food and, where necessary, take legal action against traders. "This is supported nationally by the Food Standards Agency which is concerned over both illegal slaughter and improper importers of meat and similar foods." Some reports have suggested that crocodile heads are often used in black magic rituals in some small African communities in London, but a spokeswoman for Haringey Council this week said: "No-one here has made a suggestion that the meat was to be used for black magic." 16:59 Friday 1st November 2002
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