A 65-year-old bar owner in Elx has been arrested by the National Police for allegedly paying vulnerable people to steal tins of food which were later served in his own establishment.

Officers began investigating after detaining two people for stealing several tins of preserved food. During questioning, both claimed the owner of a bar in the El Toscar area had paid them five euros for every three cans they delivered. Surveillance of the premises showed people entering with bags and leaving shortly afterwards without them, a pattern police say was repeated regularly.

According to investigators, the stolen goods were mainly tins of octopus and anchovies. A subsequent search of the bar uncovered a large quantity of preserved food. The owner was unable to provide invoices or documents proving the legal origin of the products.

Police also raised concerns about public health. The tins were allegedly stored and served without proper controls over their origin, transport or preservation, and without respecting the cold chain. The man has been arrested on suspicion of incitement to theft and offences against public health.