Historic conviction in Paris of a network of illegal fruit and vegetable sellers

The Saveurs Commerce federation is delighted with the landmark conviction against the organizers of a network of illegal fruit and vegetable sellers. The ruling, which has now been made public, marks "a significant step forward in the fight against this phenomenon, which is having a major impact on Parisian fruit and vegetable retailers," given the sentences handed down by the Paris Criminal Court.

Following a meticulous investigation by the police force of the 18th arrondissement, the authorities were able to identify and dismantle a network that was active between August and November 2023. Saveurs Commerce, represented by Maitre Douëb, has been heavily involved in the fight against street vendors, who represent a significant problem for Parisian fruit and vegetable retailers. In this case, the federation has decided to bring a civil action. The move was motivated above all by consumer food safety and the establishment of fair competition.
The Paris Criminal Court finally handed down its decision on June 12th.

A historic verdict with a firm prison sentence
Three individuals involved in this illegal network were sentenced for the offence of street vending committed alone or as part of a group (article 225-12-8 et seq. of the Criminal Code).

The main defendant, identified as one of the instigators of several illegal sales points, received the most severe sentence due to his repeated offences, his failure to appear in court and his illegal status in France. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, banned from entering France for 5 years and banned from appearing at the Rungis market* for 5 years. The second defendant, who held an intermediate position in the network, was given a 10-month suspended prison sentence, banned from entering France for 3 years and banned from appearing at the Rungis market for the same period. The third was given a 6-month suspended prison sentence and banned from appearing at the Rungis market for 3 years.

According to Saveurs Commerce, the defendants obtained their supplies from the Rungis market. The federation is also working with the wholesale market and the Prefecture of Police to dismantle these networks.

Damage estimated at around €800,000/year
For many years now, the phenomenon of street sales has been multiplying in the French capital, an exponential increase according to the federation. Illegal vendors have set up shop in strategic locations, often near fruit and vegetable retailers, causing economic damage to shopkeepers - estimated at €800,000 a year [841,230 USD] - and damaging the image of the profession. "It is a real scourge for the business of Parisian greengrocers, especially as, unlike established traders, street vendors do not respect any rules on labels, hygiene or consumer safety. Food products of unknown origin are handled in unsuitable ways by vendors with no expertise whatsoever."

Exploiting poverty
Behind these sales lies an entire mafia system that pays no charges or fees, and exploits the distress of these vendors in precarious situations. Saveurs Commerce has long been denouncing these fraudulent and dangerous practices. "The people convicted are the heads of the networks who exploit these vendors and pay them nearly nothing. Consumers are unaware that they are supplying a mafia network."

The federation points out that other judgements are currently pending. "We hope that this was not just an exceptional case and that this exemplary conviction will further encourage the authorities to fight against this phenomenon."

SAVEURS COMMERCE is the national federation of local specialist food retailers. Through its national union Saveurs Commerce Entreprise and its regional union SIMAL, it represents and defends 12,000 greengrocers, 6,000 of whom are market traders.