National police help fight fruit theft

NATIONAL POLICE have joined in the fight against fruit theft.

Since last Tuesday the National Police have been combing crop fields in Velez-Malaga to prevent mango theft. Mangoes are easy to steal and can be sold on the market at good prices.

Not only have the National Police been keeping crop fields under surveillance day and night with a helicopter, but they have also established numerous checkpoints on local roads and conducted searches in stores and markets, said Asaja Malaga in a statement.

Asaja President Baldomero Ballido and Asaja General Secretary Benjamin Fauli said they were pleased with the measures taken to prevent fruit theft in Velez-Malaga. “We know how difficult it is to keep all crop fields under surveillance, but we Velez-Malaga farmers feel supported by law enforcement,” they said.

Asaja Malaga regularly meets municipalities’ representatives to make sure they do not let their guard down. A few weeks ago, Asaja Malaga convened a meeting with Velez-Malaga Mayor, Guardia Civil and Local Police to plan and strengthen prevention plans now that the mango harvest is around the corner. Farmers are asked to lodge formal complaints with the police should they fall victims to fruit thieves.