Africa-Press – Angola. Security forces in Huambo province seized 749 bags of 50-kilogram adulterated fertilizer on Wednesday. The fertilizer was being sold at an informal market in Quissala, which is located on the outskirts of the provincial capital.
The fertilizer, consisting of NPK 12-24-12 compound fertilizer and granulated ammonium sulfate, was found inside a warehouse, following a joint operation by security and internal order agencies also resulted in the arrest of four Angolan citizens attempting to sell the fertilizer at a higher price.
The head of the local Department for Combat against Economic Crime and Public Health, Chief Superintendent of Criminal Investigation Pedro Agostinho, told the press that the forces acted following a complaint about individuals adulterating products.
He added that the complaint indicated the accused were replacing lower-quality products in bags with higher-quality products preferred by farmers and agricultural workers to obtain easy profit.
The chief police added that following this, it was possible to discover several products of this type fraudulently filled into 50 kg bags on the floor of a warehouse.
Agostinho stated that all the material had been seized and those involved had been arrested for further investigation. The process is currently underway at the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
He stated that the fertilizer belongs to several people, and the purchase invoices will be verified to determine how long the fertilizer has been adulterated to deceive buyers.
The chief urged farmers to buy such products from properly licensed and reputable establishments and to inspect the product at the time of purchase. He also urged them to request a receipt for any necessary complaints.
Agostinho emphasized that the warehouse will remain closed until further instructions are received from the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
