The Guardia Civil in Alicante has seized 20 tons 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.
Over the last few days, searches have been carried out in various fruit company facilities: one in Barcelona, one in Alicante at a company owned by the alleged ringleader, one in Castellon, two in Valencia, one in Castellon 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In a statement, the Guardia Civil confirmed that the oranges - now withdrawn from the market - came from Egypt and were purchased in Barcelona by the leader of the criminal organization, "who was aware the citrus fruit was contaminated with this banned pesticide".
"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invoices and even the destruction documents in an attempt to convince the authorities that the oranges would be withdrawn from the market and destroyed," added police sources.
