Illegal agricultural chain dismantled in Prato: Labor exploitation and health risks

An investigation by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Prato has uncovered inhumane working conditions in three Chinese-run vegetable gardens in the Tavola area, near the former Coderino landfill. Workers were forced to sleep in an abandoned farmhouse, greenhouses were unauthorized, and there was a complete lack of safety measures.

Police conducted extensive searches, inspections, and controls, including surveillance and drone monitoring. The operation focused on labor exploitation of foreign workers, presence of illegal immigrants, unauthorized dormitories, building violations, waste management, and serious risks to consumers from vegetables grown on these lands. Some workers were found to be without contracts and paid under the table.

Authorities paid special attention to the healthiness of the cultivated products, which often end up in local markets or restaurant supply chains, posing serious risks to consumers. They inspected illegally obtained seeds, phytosanitary products used, and water sources.

The three gardens and surrounding areas, covering approximately 145,000 square meters (14.5 hectares), were seized. The site contained non-hazardous special waste such as plastic, wood, and metal. Inspections focused on the dilapidated farmhouse used as a dormitory and company housing, which lacked basic hygiene and health requirements: faulty electrical system, no heating or ventilation, no barriers between rooms and outside, concrete floors with beds placed directly on them. Rooms used as kitchens had walls heavily stained with grease and dirt. Personal belongings and sheets indicated the rooms were used by workers. Additionally, 2,400 irregular shopping bags that did not meet biodegradability and compostability standards were seized.

The alleged crimes include illegal intermediation and labor exploitation, hiring workers without residence permits, commercial fraud, and illegal waste dumping. The operation was carried out by a joint task force coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office, including the Carabinieri Forestali Nipaf of Prato, the Carabinieri NAS and Agro-Food Protection, the Prevention Department of the Tuscany Center Health Authority, the Labor Inspectorate, the Carabinieri Labor Inspectorate Unit, INPS, the Civil Engineering of Prato-Pistoia, the Carabinieri Company of Prato, and the Municipal Police.