A number of pirate fishing companies located around Vidal Armadores in Spain have been charged with record-breaking fines as the result of an international operation.
14 countries cooperated with Interpol and Spain's Guardia Civil to break up the group. The network will be fined a total of €17.84 million (US$20 million).
The illegal fishing group had been operating worldwide for several years generating annual profits of €10 million.
On the completion of "Operation Yuyus", Interpol and Spanish officials announced the arrest of six people with 16 others under investigation for environmental crime and belonging to criminal organisations.
The illegal fishing targeted Patagonian toothfish, considered an important species in the Antarctic ecosystem.