Distorted oil sold as extremely virgin.

Specifically, a criminal organization was disliked by members whose members prepared and traded adulterated oils by presenting them as extremely virgin olive oil.

Two members of the organization were arrested, and two more people who are allegedly involved have been identified.

They were charged with criminal organization, apathy and violations of products and food laws. Among other things, 5,560 liters of oil, 70 liters of aromatic and 33 liters of pigments as well as two trucks were seized. The criminal organization, which operated in the Imathia region, was dismantled by men from the Department of Economic Crimes Prosecution of the Organized Crime of Northern Greece.

Yesterday, an organized police operation took place in the early morning hours, with the assistance of police officers of the Department of Information and Special Actions and the Thessaloniki Police Department, as well as employees of the Single Food Control Agency.

A laboratory for manufacturing and standardization of distorted oils was identified, where members of the criminal organization, at least since November 2024, have carried out the fraud.

In sunflower oils were added pigments and aromatic substances to resemble olive oil. They then standardized the product in plastic and metal containers, which they labeled labels with the labeling “excellent virgin olive oil”, with names of origin of Greece known for the production of olive oil. Samples were taken from the seized oils from EFET officials. which will be sent to the Chemical Service of Central Macedonia for laboratory tests. In the same area, in a police investigation by police officers from the Department of Financial Crimes, the Department of Prosecution of Life and Property Criminal Prosecution and the Department of Information and Special Actions, with the assistance of police officers from the Thessaloniki Police Department, 14 people and 10 vehicles were checked. A home research was also carried out. A stolen vehicle was found, which was taken to the local police station to be attributed to its legal owner. The detainees were taken to the competent prosecutor’s office, while investigations into the identification and arrest of the other members are continuing.