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Date Published: 14/03/2022
ARCHIVED - 20 tonnes of contaminated oranges from Egypt seized in Alicante
Seven people are under investigation in Alicante, Valencia and Murcia for being part of a criminal gang and crimes against public health
The Guardia Civil in Alicante has seized 20 tonnes of oranges that were contaminated with chlorpyrifos, a pesticide that has been banned for use in the food industry in the European Union since 2020.
As a result of the operation, carried out in partnership with the Valencia Government's Directorate General of Public Health and Addictions, seven people are under investigation for crimes against public health, trade and consumers, false documentation, and being part of a criminal group.
Over the last few days, searches have been carried out in various fruit company facilities: one in Barcelona - where the consignment was initially analysed; one in Alicante at a company owned by the alleged ringleader; one in Castellón; two in Valencia; one in Castellón; and another warehouse in Murcia.
In a statement, the Guardia Civil confirmed that the oranges - now withdrawn from the market - came from Egypt and were purchased in Barcelona by the leader of the criminal organisation, "who was aware the citrus fruit was contaminated with this banned pesticide".
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"The importer, whose company is located in the province of Alicante, told the authorities that the oranges detected in Barcelona had been sold to a company in Murcia, and subsequently in Valencia. Once purchased by a businessman in the province of Valencia, it was assumed that the latter had contracted with another company in the same province to destroy the contaminated oranges."
However, information provided by the health authorities proved this to be untrue and investigators uncovered a network of companies involved in the distribution of the fruit across eastern Spain, under the direction of the Alicante ringleader.
"Those investigated had allegedly falsified invoices and even the destruction documents in an attempt to convince the authorities that the oranges would be withdrawn from the market and destroyed," added police sources.
Image: Guardia Civil
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