Three Arrested Over Illegal Online Sale of 22,000 Litres of Restricted Herbicide

In Alicante province, three men have been arrested for allegedly illegally selling over 22,000 litres of a restricted herbicide online. The Guardia Civil revealed the chemical was sold to customers across Spain and Europe, mostly France, even though many buyers lacked the necessary authorization and training to handle it safely.

The investigation, known as Operation Kills Grass, led to the arrest of individuals aged 31, 59, and 68. They face charges of public health, natural resources, and environmental offenses, industrial property violations, and potentially being part of a criminal organization. The inquiry started when the Valencian Government's Plant Health Service inspected a company and found unusually large sales of the herbicide to a single customer.

The herbicide is highly toxic to humans, aquatic life, and the environment, requiring strict traceability controls by Spain's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food. Authorities stated that the principal suspect had authorization to use the herbicide but not to resell it. He allegedly bought it regularly through legitimate transactions, then placed it on the online market, breaking the official traceability chain.

During searches at the principal suspect's home and the supplier's business, investigators found 33 one-litre containers of the herbicide, along with packaging materials and shipping boxes. The chemical was stored without proper safety measures, and a child lived at the address. Three bank accounts tied to the principal suspect were frozen, revealing that approximately €800,000 passed through them in under two years.

Luxury cars and a motorcycle were also seized. Toxicology assessments were conducted, and the case will be heard in the Villajoyosa Court of First Instance. The Guardia Civil urged the public to report suspected illegal sales to any Guardia Civil station, call 062, use the AlertCops application, or fill out their online reporting form.