Civil Guard detains twelve people for organic olive oil fraud
The Civil Guard has dismantled a criminal network that marketed inferior-quality oil as organic extra virgin olive oil, generating profits exceeding four million euros. Twelve arrests in Jaén, Córdoba, Málaga and Madrid.
Food fraud network dismantled in olive oil sector
The Civil Guard has dismantled a criminal organisation involved in fraud in olive oil marketing, according to information from cordopolis.eldiario.es. Operation Oretania, carried out mainly in Jaén province, has resulted in the detention of twelve people accused of food fraud, document forgery, money laundering and membership in a criminal organisation.
The investigation began in 2023 following notification by the Andalusian Regional Government of possible irregularities in olive oil buying and selling operations. Investigators detected that the organisation was marketing inferior-quality virgin olive oil as organic extra virgin olive oil, deliberately altering documentation concerning its quality and origin.
The fraudulent scheme
The method of operation consisted of simulating purchases of virgin oil from Spanish mills and cooperatives through two Portuguese companies controlled by the network leaders. However, these operations were fictitious. The oil was stored directly in Jaén province using falsified invoices, contracts and transport documents, with the participation of businesspeople from the transport sector.
Subsequently, the organisation simulated the importation of organic extra virgin olive oil from Portugal using a complex network of shell companies and falsified documentation. During this process, they altered quality certificates, declaring as organic product what was in reality inferior-category oil. This procedure allowed for significantly higher profit margins.
Scope of the operation
Fourteen search operations have been carried out at properties located in Jaén, Córdoba and Málaga, including three olive oil factories related to the scheme. During these proceedings, agrifood quality inspectors from the Andalusian Regional Government took samples of the investigated oil and seized thirty-four tanks containing more than one million kilograms of oil for non-compliance with traceability and food safety regulations.
Investigators also seized more than seventy thousand euros in cash and luxury goods valued at over one million euros, including high-end vehicles, watches and jewellery. It is estimated that since January 2023 the fraud would have affected more than seven million kilograms of oil, generating illicit profits exceeding four million euros.
Distribution of arrests
The twelve detentions are distributed across four provinces: eight in Jaén, two in Málaga, one in Córdoba and one in Madrid. The operation has been carried out by the Judicial Police Organic Unit of the Civil Guard's Jaén Headquarters, with collaboration from the Agrifood Quality Inspectorate of the Agricultural Department of the Andalusian Regional Government and support from specialised personnel.
The Spanish Government's sub-delegate in Jaén, Manuel Fernández, has assessed the operation as guaranteeing food safety and protecting the interests of farmers and traditional oil producers. He has highlighted that operations of this scale strengthen confidence in producers that work to the highest standards of quality and traceability, and close the door to manipulations that seek to take advantage of the sector's work.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)