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Trio Arrested After Allegedly Stealing $300,000 Worth Of Avocados

Trio Arrested After Allegedly Stealing $300,000 Worth Of Avocados

Their alleged operation had been going on for months.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Three men have been detained by police in California, following the theft of over $300,000 worth of avocados.

It's alleged the trio, Joseph Valenzuela, Carlos Chavez and Rahim Leblanc, all aged between 28 and 38 years old, worked at Mission Produce, but made unauthorized cash sales of avocados from the facility in Oxnard. Detectives started watching the three men in May, after receiving tip-offs from customers. Authorities believe their operation had been going on for several months.

One of the men accused
One of the men accused

Joseph Valenzuela. Credit: PA

The Mission Produce facility, where the suspects worked, used to have customers pick up their avocados from the site. But at some point, it changed its distribution flow and began sending the product to customers' houses.

Some shoppers, however, hadn't been told of the change and continued to head to the facility, where it's believed the trio would sell the stolen avocados for a profit. It was only when the company's books weren't adding up that the authorities were called in to help.

One of the men accused
One of the men accused

Rahim Leblanc. Credit: PA

Police estimate Valenzuela, Chavez and Leblanc stole more than $300,000 (£234,000) during the operation. Ventura County Sergeant John Franchi told the LA Times: "Everybody loves avocados. We take these kinds of thefts seriously."

The company's president, Steve Barnard also told the newspaper: "I guess they got greedy and they got bulletproof."

He plans to tighten security at the facility to ensure this can't happen again. Police are encouraging anyone who believes they were ripped off in the scam to get in contact with them.

Avocados are a huge commodity in the US due to a nationwide shortage - a diminished crop in California and Mexico has seen prices for the superfood skyrocket. Americans' consumption of the fruit has grown considerably since 1989.

Avocado thief
Avocado thief

Carlos Chavez. Credit: PA

The rising price has affected Mexican restaurants across the country. Alfredo Solis, chef-owner of Mezcalero and El Sol, told SF Gate a case of 32 avocados costs 'almost double from what we've been paying the last couple of months'.

There is further concern that President Donald Trump's plan to introduce an import tax for goods from Mexico will only drive prices higher. The move would also increase the cost of other fruits and vegetables, such as corn and melons.

Source: SF Gate, LA Times

Featured Image Credit: PA