A 56-year-old man has been arrested by Berat police for allegedly selling low-quality olive oil falsely advertised as organic. Authorities have also issued a search warrant for his 29-year-old son, D.A., who is suspected of being involved in the illegal operation. The father and son, residents of the village of Tapi, Kuçovë, face charges of "Concealment of Income" and "Food Product Fraud" carried out in collaboration.
A Fraudulent Scheme Uncovered
According to investigations, the suspects had repurposed part of their home to prepare mixtures of oils and unidentified substances, which they marketed as organic olive oil. These products were promoted on a Facebook page called "Vaj Ulliri Bio Jugu" ("Southern Bio Olive Oil") and distributed nationwide via a private postal service.
During the operation, police confiscated:
- Approximately 3,000 liters of an unidentified oil mixture.
- 1,000 liters suspected to be peanut oil.
- A laptop and a printer used for printing shipping labels.
- Cash totaling 2,900,000 Lekë and 1,800 Euros, believed to have been obtained from the illegal activity.
Legal Action Underway
The collected evidence has been handed over to the Prosecutor's Office at the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction in Berat for further investigation. Authorities emphasize the seriousness of food fraud, particularly when it involves products marketed as organic, which poses risks to consumer trust and health.
This case highlights the importance of vigilance in verifying the authenticity of products labeled as organic, as well as the need for regulatory enforcement to prevent similar incidents in the future.