Thieves stole $2.5 million of premium olive oil from a Texas warehouse and are selling it to competing shops at half the price. The stolen oil, belonging to CHO America and branded as Terra Delyssa, was taken from a third-party-owned warehouse in Houston. The warehouse did not have operational security cameras at the time of the theft, leading to challenges in identifying the culprits. Wajih Rekik, the owner of CHO America, believes the theft was organized and is seeking the public’s help in recovering the stolen product.
It was reported that the thieves stole 18 truckloads of olive oil, amounting to 29 pallets with 672 bottles each. Rekik was not aware of the theft until weeks later when he received a call informing him that the product was not being sold at the correct store. The company used traceability features and trackable lot numbers to recover one pallet from a Houston store selling the stolen oil at a significantly lower retail price than its actual value. Terra Delyssa olive oil is typically sold for $15 to $27 a bottle, making the theft a significant loss for the company.
Rekik expressed his frustration at the situation, stating that it is devastating to know that their high-quality product is being sold at half or even one-fourth of its retail price. He emphasized the importance of store owners reporting any suspicious offers of Terra Delyssa olive oil at unusually low prices. The nature of the theft indicates that it was well planned and executed by individuals familiar with the value of the product and the market in which it is sold.
The lack of security measures at the warehouse where the olive oil was stored highlights the importance of implementing proper security protocols to prevent such incidents in the future. Rekik stressed the need for greater vigilance and security measures to protect valuable products like olive oil from falling into the hands of criminals. CHO America is working diligently to recover the stolen olive oil and is urging the public to provide any information that may help in identifying the perpetrators and locating the remaining stolen goods.
The stolen olive oil is a significant loss for CHO America and poses a challenge for the company in terms of reputation and financial impact. The thieves selling the stolen oil at a reduced price not only harm the company’s business but also deceive customers who may unknowingly purchase stolen goods. Rekik’s appeal for assistance from the public and store owners reflects the company’s efforts to combat the illegal distribution of their product and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The theft of $2.5 million worth of olive oil from the Texas warehouse has raised concerns about the security of valuable products and the implications of organized theft on businesses. The incident serves as a reminder for companies to enhance their security measures and implement traceability features to track and recover stolen goods. CHO America’s efforts to recover the stolen olive oil and prevent its illegal distribution demonstrate the company’s commitment to protecting its brand and integrity in the face of criminal activities.
