At 1,000 euros per kilo on average, the nighttime raid in a truffle patch can be very tempting. But risky too. At least that is the message sent this Monday in a press release by Alexandre Rossi, the public prosecutor of Cahors, who does not intend to let thieves spoil the season in the Lot.
Made aware of the problem by the Truffle Growers’ Union of Lalbenque, the capital of black diamonds, the magistrate noted that the criminals in question sometimes use methods of “big banditry”, “such as acting at night, hooded or even use of stolen or falsely registered vehicles”.
Heavy prison sentences
Several investigations are already underway in the Lot, for recent or older thefts. Alexandre Rossi calls on truffle growers to report all thefts or simple intrusions on isolated plots. And above all he warns that “in the event of formal identification of one or more perpetrators, they will be systematically prosecuted before the criminal court”. Aggravated theft in a meeting, with damage or criminal association can cost up to “ten years of imprisonment”.
And for gourmets who would be tempted to buy truffles at low prices, the prosecutor reminds that receiving stolen goods “is punishable by five years of imprisonment and a fine of 375,000”. Enough to stop networks or occasional thieves in their tracks?