USDA sanctions three firms for PACA debts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has sanctioned three produce companies for not paying reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

These businesses and connected individuals are restricted from the produce industry, according to a news release:

> Global Produce Trade Inc., Signal Hill, Calif., for failing to pay a $43,350 award in favor of a North Carolina seller. Paulina Romero Marin, Letitia Romero Marin and Sergio Ledesma Ramirez were listed as the officers, directors and/or major stockholders of the business.

> Classic Produce, Bronx, N.Y., for failing to pay a $114,400 award in favor of a Texas seller. Vianney Capellan was listed as the officer, director and major stockholder of the business.

Classic Produce was one of the companies involved in an alleged fraud scheme by two New Yorkers, who are accused of stealing more than $900,000 worth of produce from sellers and service providers.

STORY: Two New Yorkers arrested for stealing $900,000 in produce

> Border Produce Services LLC, McAllen, Texas, for failing to pay a $7,892.00 award in favor of a Texas seller. Arturo J. Garcia was listed as a member of the business.

Border Produce Services was sanctioned by the USDA in March for not paying a $2,460 award in favor of a California seller, but two weeks later paid the amount and was free to continue operations after obtaining a PACA license.