Location: Kern County

Incident Date: 8-6-18

Case Number: 18-10086

Victim: Mr. Box Inc of Tulare County/ Mid Valley Packaging of Fresno County / J&S Packaging of Kern County / Styrotech of Tulare County

City: Delano

Posted by: Media Relations

Detectives Uncover Fake Fruit Packing Business & $75,000 Worth of Ag Materials

On 8-6-18, Tulare County and Kern County Ag Detectives worked jointly in the recovery of a large amount of grape packaging materials from an illicit fruit packing business in Kern County. What started out as a small quantity quickly grew to the discovery of numerous pallets containing hundreds of boxes of grape packaging bags and styrofoam boxes. Victims were contacted from Tulare County, Fresno County, and Kern County to identify and recover their stolen styrofoam and grape packaging materials.  Victims included Mid Valley Packing, Mr. Box Inc., J&S Packaging, and Styrotech. The recovery of stolen packaging materials totaled approximately $75,000

 

  

 

Charges against both subjects have been filed in Kern County’s jurisdiction. Ag Crimes Detectives are still pursuing investigative leads to recover additional packaging materials that have been illicitly purchased. Those who have purchased any grape packaging materials from illicit sellers are encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Andrew Diaz or Sgt. Chad Rhyman withthe Tulare County Sheriff’s Ag Crimes Investigations Unit at (559) 735-1898. They can also call 24 hours a day at (559) 733-6218 or anonymously, by accessing the TipNow page at tcso@tipnow.com.