An alleged organized scheme to siphon off EU funds earmarked for agriculture has come under scrutiny by European justice. Carabinieri officers from the Salerno and Messina Agri-food Protection units have executed precautionary measures against six Sicilian agricultural entrepreneurs as part of an investigation coordinated by the European Public Prosecutor from Palermo. The picture that emerges is that of a complex mechanism, constructed over time to circumvent controls and improperly obtain public funding.
The measures imposed range from house arrest with an electronic bracelet to a mandatory residence, to temporary bans from engaging in business activities or holding management positions in companies receiving state or EU funds. At the same time, a precautionary seizure of assets worth up to €361.283 was initiated, which investigators believe to be the partial proceeds of crimes ranging from self-laundering to conspiracy to commit aggravated fraud against the European Union. Twenty-two additional investigation notices were served on other suspects.
According to the prosecution, between 2018 and 2022, a system was set up based on the suspected "migration" of company files from Sicilian agricultural assistance centers to facilities in the provinces of Salerno and Latina. This move, investigators believe, was intended to evade checks by the competent authorities and make it more difficult to identify anomalies.
The investigations reveal a structured criminal organization dedicated to the illicit collection of significant amounts of aid from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund.Agricultural Grants Agency She was allegedly deceived through the creation of fictitious companies, the fraudulent acquisition of CAP titles from the national reserve, and the inclusion, only on paper, of lands that had never been granted or were falsely declared as having been acquired by adverse possession. According to the European Public Prosecutor's Office, the proceeds were then transferred between various company accounts or reinvested, including through participation in public auctions, with the aim of concealing their illicit origin.
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- Article updated on 19/02/2026 at 17:50 PM - Improved image quality
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Comments (2)
It's strange how some people manage to deceive the authorities for so long without being caught, but eventually the truth always comes out. There needs to be more oversight in the agricultural sector.
The article is very interesting and highlights a serious problem. It's important to shed light on these inappropriate practices that harm everyone. We hope justice is served swiftly.