HOUSTON — Here's a crime you don't hear about every day. Houston police are trying to track down thieves who stole $2.5 million worth of premium olive oil.
They got away with premium Terra Delyssa organic and extra virgin products distinguishable by their dark glass bottles, according to manufacturer CHO America.
The Houston heist happened at a warehouse on Navigation which is owned by a third party. The thieves got away with about 18 truckloads containing 290 pallets, each with 672 bottles.
We're told the company that owns the warehouse recently went out of business and didn't have operational security cameras, which is all part of the HPD investigation.
CHO America said it's already obtained leads to recover some of the products thanks to traceability features and trackable lot numbers. One pallet was recovered from a Houston store selling it cheaply.
"Knowing our product is being sold at half-price or one-fourth the price at some stores now is devastating, too," Houston-based CHO America CEO Wajih Rekik told KHOU 11's Jason Miles.
The company is asking store owners to report any suspicious offers of Terra Delyssa olive oil at unusually low prices, especially if they involve the following lot codes:
- Lot N° : L1185/40695
- Lot N° : L1144/40752 Expiry Date : 29/01/2026
- Lot N° : L1152/40753 Expiry Date : 26/02/2026
- Lot N° : L1152/40754 Expiry Date : 26/02/2026
- Lot N° : L1152/40758 Expiry Date : 26/02/2026
- Lot N° : L1149/42545 Expiry Date : 16/02/2026
- Lot N° : L1163/42584 Expiry Date : 29/03/2026
- Lot N° : L1178/42591 Expiry Date : 29/03/2026
- Lot N° : L1185/40695 Expiry Date : 05/02/2026
- Lot N° :L1187/40787 Expiry Date : 06/05/2026
- Lot N° : L1131/42520 Expiry Date : 03/01/2026
Terra Delyssa, which originates in Tunisia, said its olive oil has won awards all over the world but its success has also made it a target.
The Houston theft comes a week after a similar incident at the company's Canadian facility in Montreal.
Surging olive oil prices, driven in part by two years of drought in Spain, were blamed for a wave of 2023 thefts in the Mediterranean. Warehouse break-ins, dilution of premium oil with inferior products and falsification of shipping data were reported in the olive-growing heartlands of Greece, Spain and Italy. Gangs even used chainsaws to steal olive branches or entire trees from unguarded groves.
For any tips or information on the Terra Delyssa case, please contact us at 281 712 1549 or via email at info@terradelyssa.com.