WASHINGTON, D.C. - Four PACA violators in Florida, Texas, and Washington have been restricted from operating in the produce industry, according to a USDA press release.
Top Service Brokers, a Miami, FL based company, failed to pay a $13,678 award in favor of a Virginia seller. Bivieti Barrios was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
Patel Distributors, a Mission, TX based company, failed to pay a $5,256 award in favor of a New York seller. Farhan Mohammed was listed as a member of the business.
Oziel Trevino, operating as Diversity Produce, a Hidalgo, TX based company, failed to pay a $9,280 award in favor of a Texas seller. Oziel Trevino was listed as the sole proprietor of the business.
Cry Baby Foods, a Royal City, WA based company, failed to pay a $245,045 award in favor of a North Dakota seller. Kelsee L. Shearer and Aaron K. Shearer were listed as members of the business.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims under the PACA involving more than $87 million. Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed or affiliated with any PACA licensee without the approval of the USDA. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA.
