Garlic is a valuable crop in Spain, a country known for its large-scale agricultural production.
Farmers work hard to grow and store their harvest, relying on secure transactions to sell their goods.
But a shocking case of fraud has left several Spanish farmers with massive losses. A group of criminals managed to steal nearly 1,000 tons of garlic using deception and false identities, reports Digi24.
Authorities say six Romanian nationals were behind the operation, which targeted warehouses in the Cuenca region.
The group allegedly posed as legitimate buyers, promising farmers above-market prices for their garlic.
Once the deals were made, they loaded the goods onto trucks and vanished without making proper payments. The estimated damage from the theft is around 600,000 euros.
Spanish police launched an investigation after multiple farmers reported missing stock. Their efforts led to the arrest of six suspects.
Two of them remain in custody, while the other four are being monitored under judicial control.
However, the suspected leader of the group is still at large. Officials believe he may have fled to Romania to avoid arrest.
This large-scale theft has raised concerns among Spanish farmers, who now face financial strain after losing such a significant amount of produce.
Many are calling for stricter security measures to prevent similar crimes in the future.
Authorities continue to investigate the case. They are working with Romanian law enforcement to track down the suspected leader and determine if more people were involved in the operation.
The stolen garlic was likely sold on the black market, but police are still trying to trace its final destination.
For now, the arrested individuals await trial, while farmers in Cuenca hope justice will be served.
The case has sparked discussions about fraud in the agricultural industry and the risks that come with selling high-value crops.
