Farmers in the Axarquia continue suffer losses to thieves who, in the past five days, have stolen 8,000 kilos of avocados.
A farmer in El Trapiche has suffered his third theft of the season, losing another 3,000 kilos of avocados valued at around €5,000.
Thieves struck during the night of Christmas Day during heavy rains. Because of the terrible weather, the farmer had been unable to participate in the usual security patrols, and the thieves struck.
The farmers complain that they never see any police patrols in the area and that no-one is ever checked for identification. The only thief to be caught was one who stole a mere 50 kilos and he was only caught after his vehicle got stuck in the mud. To add insult to injury, because the value of the theft was below the threshold, he was not prosecuted.
A farmer in Triana lost 5,000 kilos of avocados on Sunday, the thieves leaving behind debris which shows they even stopped for a picnic during the robbery.
So far this season, 60,000 kilos of avocados have been stolen in Vélez-Málaga alone, the biggest single robbery being 16,000 kilos and one which was carried out in broad daylight.