A river of poor quality pellets, potentially harmful to the environment and health, ready to end up on the Italian market with counterfeit certification marks. This is what the financiers of the Provincial Command of Reggio Calabria and Lecce discovered at the end of an investigation against commercial fraud which led to the seizure of over 250 tonnes of fuel of Turkish origin.
The operation was conducted by the soldiers of the Gioia Tauro Group together with the Otranto Company, who reconstructed a pellet import and resale chain that did not comply with the quality standards expected in Italy. A product intended for domestic stoves but without the required guarantees and, in some cases, even expired for years.
According to what emerged from the investigations, the “ENplus A1” certification mark appeared on the seized bags, a symbol that attests to high quality levels and controls along the entire production chain. A brand which, however, would have been reproduced fraudulently, leading consumers to believe they were purchasing a certified and safe product.
The irregularities did not stop there: the packaging also lacked the mandatory indications on the importer and the information intended for consumers, essential elements to guarantee traceability and transparency in the domestic fuel market.
At the end of the investigations, two entrepreneurs – one from Calabria and one from Salento – were reported to the judicial authorities on charges of commercial fraud and introduction into the State of products with false signs.