Photo: seized stolen materials
TULARE – Tulare County detectives busted a fake fruit-packing business on August 6. Kern County AG detectives assisted in the operation.
Authorities recovered “a large amount of grape packaging materials.” Consequently, this led to the discovery of “numerous pallets containing hundreds of boxes of grape packaging bags and styrofoam boxes.”
Victims from Tulare, Fresno and Kern counties identified their stolen goods. Some of the companies involved are Mid Valley Packing, Mr. Box Inc., J&S Packaging, and Styrotech.
As a result, he value of the recovered items totaled approximately $75,000
Kern County detectives charged two suspects so far. Furthermore, the investigation continues in pursuit of more materials and other suspects.
“Those who have purchased any grape packaging materials from illicit sellers are encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact Detective Andrew Diaz or Sgt. Chad Rhyman with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Ag Crimes Investigations Unit at (559) 735-1898. They can also call 24 hours a day at (559) 733-6218 or anonymously, by accessing the TipNow page at tcso@tipnow.com.”
