The State Police in Albania announced that three people have been arrested in Berat following the blocking and destruction of around 8 tons of tomatoes by Croatian authorities. The shipment, exported from Albania, was found to contain high levels of the pesticide chlorfenapyr.
According to the Police statement, the administrator of the vegetable production and export entity that shipped the tomatoes was arrested, along with two inspectors from the National Food Inspection Agency (AKU) in Berat. The arrests were made under the direction of the Berat Prosecutor's Office.
The announcement explained that specialists from the Economic and Financial Crimes Investigation Section, in cooperation with the Special Operational Force, carried out the "Again" operation after receiving information on irregularities in the export of vegetables.
The arrested include MQ, 40, a resident of Kuçovë, identified as the administrator of the vegetable collection and export company. MQ exported 8 tons of tomatoes to Croatia, where analysis showed excessive levels of chlorfenapyr. The produce was destroyed by Croatian authorities. The administrator also allegedly used fictitious purchase invoices from other farmers to avoid legal liability.
The other two arrested are RL, 27, a resident of Tirana, and GL, 25, a resident of Berat, both inspectors with the Berat AKU. The statement reports that during inspections of MQ's facilities, they failed to take samples of tomatoes in storage and approved fictitious purchase invoices as regular. The inspection records were reported to have been completed without proper procedures, thus misrepresenting the situation regarding tomatoes found with high pesticide content.
During searches of MQ's warehouse, various vegetables were seized and samples taken for laboratory testing, as authorities suspect other produce may also contain excessive residues.
Source: Express