The Civil Guard revealed on Wednesday that they are probing eight men, aged between 29 and 64, for allegedly pilfering over 2,200 kilos of avocados, along with 850 kilos of potatoes and various farming machinery and tools valued at 20,000 euros.
As per a statement from the armed institute, the suspects are believed to have committed at least 10 thefts in the regions of Tacoronte, El Sauzal, La Victoria de Acentejo, and La Matanza.
The inquiry was launched following complaints lodged by the avocado farm owners who were the victims.
Subsequently, through various investigative measures, it was unearthed that one of the suspects consistently followed the same route from his residence in Santa Cruz de Tenerife to the farms to steal the avocados, often picking up the other accomplices, described as “habitual offenders from the northern part of the island with extensive knowledge of the farms.”
The Civil Guard mentioned that the thefts have been occurring since February, always in broad daylight.
Reportedly, the alleged thieves took advantage of the farm owners being at a specific location on the premises to enter through an alternate point and evade detection, managing to pilfer a total of 2,200 kg of avocados over multiple instances.
They then transported the stolen goods in large, durable bags or backpacks to load them into a vehicle.
Additionally, the Roca Team agents uncovered that the same individuals had stolen 850 kilos of potatoes from other farming areas, capitalising on their extensive knowledge of the owners’ movements, as the plots were situated near the suspects’ residences.
While investigating these thefts, information came to light about a burglary of agricultural tools in 2022, where the accused individuals allegedly stole farming equipment including a tractor with accessories, a motor cultivator, brush cutters, a motor sprayer, and other tools, valued at around 20,000 euros.
The Civil Guard confirmed that the stolen tractor and its ploughing attachment have been recovered and returned to their rightful owner after necessary verification.
The findings from the investigations have been passed on to the Court of Instruction in San Cristóbal de la Laguna and the Court of Instruction in La Orotava.
