Massive fraud in organic products dismantled in Mortil, Grenada

The Guardia Civil has dismantled a criminal group in Motril (Granada, Spain) that operated internationally in food fraud, as part of Operation Obstteller. In total, four people have been arrested and 16 others are being investigated for various crimes, including aggravated fraud, false documentation and membership of a criminal group.

 

 

This scheme sold conventional fruits and vegetables as organic in European markets, where organic products are more expensive. To do this, they falsified the organic production certificates that guarantee the traceability of the products.

 

 

It is estimated that in six months they managed to sell more than two million kilos of conventional products as if they were organic. Those arrested include the owner of the company and his front men, while those investigated include the suppliers of fruits and vegetables, and the companies that issued the false certificates.

 

 

They were also assisted by laboratories that manipulated the analysis results to eliminate traces of phytosanitary products. In addition, the company obtained products from plots not officially registered in the organic production system of Andalusia.