NC Seafood Processor Sentenced For Mislabeling Shrimp

RALEIGH –  An NC-based seafood processor and wholesale distributor was sentenced in federal court for falsely labeling imported shrimp.

The U.S. Justice Department announced Alphin Brothers Inc. pleaded guilty to one felony count of making or submitting false records in violation of the Lacey Act. Court documents state an Alphin Brothers employee, who purchased and sold shrimp on the company’s behalf, directed Alphin Brothers employees and employees of another seafood processing facility to falsely label approximately 25,000 pounds of farm-raised imported shrimp as wild-caught product of the United States.

The court sentenced Alphin Brothers Inc. to pay a criminal fine of $100,000 and to forfeit approximately 21,450 pounds of shrimp.  The company also will serve three years of probation, including a special condition requiring the company to implement a training program to educate its employees on federal labeling requirements, as they relate to business activities at the company.

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