The Civil Guard is currently investigating 16 individuals suspected of involvement in the theft of 2,800 kilograms of avocados from farms in northern Tenerife, where they reside. The fruit was taken after either jumping over or breaking through the perimeter fence.
On Wednesday, the armed forces reported that the alleged offenders, comprising 14 men and two women aged between 21 and 49, are residents of the municipalities of La Laguna, Tacoronte, Tegueste, La Victoria, La Orotava, and Icod de los Vinos. They are being accused of various crimes against property and the socioeconomic structure.
Dubbed Operation Hass I, the investigation has been executed by agents from the Roca team, who specialise in preventing and investigating agricultural and livestock thefts. This operation has successfully resolved 22 theft-related offences in farms across different municipalities in northern Tenerife.
The criminal activities occurred between September 2024 and February 2025 when, reportedly, the defendants, who were locals, typically accessed the farms during the day by jumping over or breaking the perimeter fencing.
In addition to the avocados, the thieves also took 30 kilograms of potatoes, 10 chestnuts, and various pieces of corrugated iron used to support the vineyards, transporting everything in bags that they loaded into their vehicles.
The Civil Guard has noted that the accused were residents familiar with the area, which aided them in planning the assaults on the farms, as they were well aware of the movement patterns of the owners and their workers.
Two of the alleged perpetrators were hunters who, while engaging in their pastime, were able to confirm that no one was present on the farm at the time the crimes were committed.
The stolen avocados were quickly put on the market, sold both on the streets of local neighbourhoods and in certain fruit shops. Agents from the Roca team managed to halt these sales after identifying and verifying the illegal origin of the produce.
