Following a strenuous investigation, Ministry of Agriculture inspectors revealed the smuggling of eggplant seeds from Egypt to Israel, valued at NIS 45 million. The ministry announced on Sunday, as part of the scam, about 30 farmers received fake eggplant seedlings with a total sowing potential estimated at about 4,000 tons, and discovered that this was a scam late in the game.

The investigation, which was conducted by commanders of the Central Unit or Enforcement & Investigations in the Agriculture Ministry reveals the main suspect is a resident of Gaza in his 50s, a person who holds a valid entry permit to the territories (Yehuda and Shomron). He allegedly purchased the fake eggplant seeds in Egypt, and he received them at the Rafiach border between Egypt and Gaza.

According to suspicions, the suspect then contacted one of the nurseries in the south of the country to distribute the fake seeds that he purchased. The investigation shows that during the period between the end of 2018 and beginning of 2019, the suspect handed over 6kg (13 pounds) of the fake seeds to the nursery owner who germinated the seeds and made eggplant seedlings and then sold about 30 of them to farmers.

Only after the seedlings grew did the farmers realize the eggplants were different in size and color and unsuited for the marketplace. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture has submitted a request to the Defense Ministry to revoke the entry permit of the Gaza resident and chief suspect in the case.

Farmers were compelled to destroy tons of eggplants as they were not suitable for the marketplace. They explained it was comparable to “a stillborn child that does not live after nine months of labor”. The events compelled the ministry to seek to locate the source of the seedlings, leading to the Gaza resident.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)