A wholesaler in Tarascon, in the south of France, is suspected of having resold vegetables from Spain by pretending they were of French origin.
The man allegedly bought his products cheaper abroad and then changed the labels to deceive his customers.
Zucchini, peppers, asparagus ... Thousands of consumers in the south of France have bought vegetables that they believed to be French, when they were not.
Sold in supermarkets, and yet well labeled as coming from France, they were in fact Spanish.
Impossible for the consumer, or even for the brands to realize it.
An illegal practice known as francization.
Up to two years in prison and a fine of 300,000 euros
It is in the Tarascon sector that this fruit and vegetable wholesaler is suspected of using it.
Since at least last year, hundreds of tonnes of vegetables have been affected.
This man bought his products in Spain, less expensive, therefore, and changed the Spanish labels of parcels and packaging for others indicating "Origin France", which are resold more expensive.
He is even suspected of having edited invoices with this false origin.
>> Find Europe evening in replay and podcast here
Searches and police custody have taken place since mid-June in this case and investigators are looking for possible accomplices. They also suspect a fruit and vegetable conditioner to be involved in this fraud. This deceptive commercial practice can lead to up to two years in prison and a fine of 300,000 euros.