Swiss bank accounts and flash cars lead to farmers’ arrests

FLASHY cars, Swiss bank accounts and an airplane led to the arrest of a bevy of farmers accused of selling their soft fruit and veg on the black market and leading to an EU-wide search for accomplices.

The year-long investigation in eight countries so far has resulted in millions of euro, several properties, computers, cars and even an airplane being seized.

It began in the Netherlands where Dutch tax authorities became suspicious of several farmers driving around in expensive new cars with Luxembourg number plates.