Five workers charged with allegedly stealing

Five workers charged with allegedly stealing

Five workers charged with allegedly stealing $4 million worth of salmon from processing plant

Five former employees at a salmon processing plant have been charged after allegedly stealing $4 million worth of fish.
The executive of the Huan Aquaculture company contacted NSW Police in December 2020 about possible “coordinated criminal conduct” of staff.
The company conducted an internal audit which found drastically less product was being processed through the plant at Ingleburn between last June and December.
“It was clear that people inside the business premises were actually stealing the salmon and on selling it in large quantities,” Detective Acting Inspector Graeme Napier said today.
It was determined on average, about 600kg of salmon product was unaccounted for each day.
Detectives went to the plant on December 20, and spoke to staff at the end of their shifts. Two females who had allegedly stolen product were given future court notices.
The pair, aged 30 and 31, are both due to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Monday February 22.
Officers went back to the plant on December 23 and arrested two men, aged 32 and 49, who were taken to Campbelltown Police Station.
The 32-year-old man, from Minto, was charged with steal property as clerk/servant ($5000-$15,000).
The 49-year-old Cabramatta man was charged with steal property as clerk/servant (more than $15,000).
Both men were granted strict conditional bail and are due to appear at Campbelltown Local Court today.
On the same day a fifth person was arrested at Sydney Airport when he landed on a flight from Perth.
The 30-year-old Belmore man was taken to Mascot Police Station, where he was charged with steal property as clerk/servant (more than $15,000).
He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Monday 1 February 2021.
Police will allege in court the syndicate used their roles within the company to falsely grade premium salmon products as waste, which was then removed from the plant and transported for on-sale or traded for other product.
In total, more than 250 tonnes of salmon were allegedly stolen between June and December 2020, which would have an estimated retail value of more than $4 million.
The company has fired all five people.
Inquiries are continuing.

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