Hazelnuts, cocoa and alcohol targeted by cargo thieves - FreightWatch
Approximately €1m of hazelnuts were stolen on 20 April from a confectionery producer in Cervasca, Cuneo in Italy, the firm said in its International Supply Chain Intelligence Center (SCIC) European Intelligence Note.
The hazelnuts were of the high quality “Tonda Gentile” variety, valued at €350–€370 per 100kg.
“In 2016, this type of theft is part of a trend the SCIC has seen affecting the food industry across Europe. Italy is the world’s second largest producer of hazelnuts, and the SCIC expects further crimes of this nature to affect the country in the coming months,” said the note.
Another incident saw Spanish police arrest two men on 15 April as part of the theft of ham from a parked truck in the Girona, Cataluna area.
Meanwhile, thieves broke into a warehouse in Pola de Siero, Asturias in Spain on 10 April and stole €100,000 worth of alcohol and food products.
Although a partial recovery was made, a significant quantity remain missing, mostly rum and gin, said FreightWatch.
The SCIC note said a full truckload of cocoa (38 tonnes) was stolen on 7 April in what appeared to be a use of the “Fake Police” method in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
“The SCIC highlights the fact that items such as cocoa and vanilla are increasing in value and therefore are at greater risk of being stolen.”
It also referenced thieves who gained access to an alcohol storage facility in Chieti Scalo, Abruzzo in Italy and made off with €80,000 worth of drinks, including high-end alcoholic beverages.
