| Classification | Litigation pending (criminal indictment — allegations only) |
| Company | Ganaderos Borges, Inc. (GBI) |
| Location | Naguabo, Puerto Rico |
| Court | U.S. District Court, District of Puerto Rico |
| Announced | August 12, 2026 |
| Last updated | September 28, 2026 |
What the indictment alleges
A federal grand jury indicted GBI, its president César P. Borges-Arroyo, operator Neftalí Borges-Gómez, and employees Erison Delgado-Santos and Héctor Fulgencio-Cabrera on conspiracy plus four Clean Water Act counts. A later recap additionally names co-defendant Héctor Ramos-Vega. No docket number or trial date has been located.
The indictment alleges that from August 2018 through at least September 2025, defendants used a submersible pump, concealed when not in use, to discharge untreated waste — animal blood, hair, tissue, feces, grease, and cleaning chemicals — from the plant’s retention lagoon into a creek flowing about half a mile to the Caribbean Sea at Tropical Beach, Naguabo, and made false statements to authorities.
Maximum exposure per count: five years’ imprisonment and $250,000 in fines for individuals; $500,000 for the corporation.
Current status
Arrests were executed and defendants appeared in federal court; the company’s president pleaded not guilty and was released on unsecured bail. The federal court is allowing the plant to continue operating on the condition that it complies with the environmental regulations the indictment alleges it violated.
An indictment contains allegations only; all defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted. No adjudicated findings exist as of this update.
What FAT is tracking
- The indictment and docket number; trial schedule; any plea agreements
- GBI’s customers/brands and whether products carry any environmental or quality label claims
- Any parallel EPA civil enforcement or permit revocation
- Compliance with the court’s operating conditions
Sources
- DOJ OPA — Meat processing plant and employees charged (August 2026)
- Washington Times — Puerto Rico slaughterhouse, execs indicted (August 12, 2026)
- El Nuevo Día (English) — Federal judge imposes conditions on Ganaderos Borges’ operations
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