Spanish Police Arrest Suspect in €1.76M Olive Fraud

Spain’s Guardia Civil has arrested a man suspected of defrauding at least 258 olive growers and producers of €1,765,220, according to official statements.

The investigation, led by the ROCA rural crime team in Sanlúcar la Mayor, Seville, began during the 2025 agricultural season after growers reported that they had not been paid for olives sold on their behalf.

The operation also involved public safety units and agents from the Guardia Civil’s canine service and culminated in the suspect’s arrest and searches of two properties in Seville province.

According to investigators, the suspect gained the trust of growers by presenting himself as a successful and affluent businessman and offering to act as a middleman in the sale of their table olives.

Authorities allege that he sold the olives to third parties but withheld payments owed to the producers. Investigators said he sought to delay complaints with promises of imminent payment, explanations involving refinancing and debt, and eventually promissory notes that were rejected by banks because of insufficient funds.

After obtaining judicial warrants, officers searched properties in Olivares and Albaida del Aljarafe, two municipalities in Seville province.

Photographs and video released by the Guardia Civil showed large gated residences, including a property with an expansive courtyard and custom-built swimming pool.

Among the assets seized were two high-end vehicles, 13 luxury watches, gold and silver ingots and other valuables. Investigators also confiscated computers, numerous mobile phones and extensive financial documentation that authorities said could help trace the missing funds.

During the operation, the Guardia Civil also seized 1,220,650 kilograms of Manzanilla table olives, preventing their distribution. The olives were placed at the disposal of judicial authorities as part of the investigation.

Authorities have not ruled out additional victims coming forward or further individuals or companies being implicated in the alleged scheme.

Investigators are also seeking to identify additional properties and other assets that may have been acquired with the proceeds of the alleged fraud. The Guardia Civil said the suspect could face additional charges as the investigation continues.

The case is the latest in a series of criminal investigations affecting the olive sector in Spain and other Mediterranean producing countries. Italy and Portugal have also recorded notable arrests related to theft and fraud in recent years.

However, lower olive and olive oil prices have coincided with a decline in some types of agricultural crime as potential profit margins have narrowed.

According to an April update from the Guardia Civil and Pedro Fernández, the Spanish government’s delegate to Andalusia, thefts during the 2025/26 table olive season fell 41.8 percent from the previous season.

Officials said the decline also coincided with new anti-crime measures and expanded use of monitoring technologies. Despite the reduction in thefts, the number of arrests increased.