UNION GROVE, NC - The black market continues to seek a piece of the produce industry, with melons looking to be sought after on an international scale.

A number of watermelons and cantaloupes were reportedly stolen last weekend, at some time between 5 p.m. Saturday, July 30, and 6 a.m. Sunday, July 31, in North Carolina.

The victim is a Union Grove farm in Iredell County, according to news source Statesville Record & Landmark, from whom five varieties of watermelons and cantaloupes were taken.

The specific varieties stolen were not reported. Deputies from the local sheriff's office were called to the scene upon the discovery, but no suspects were listed and the case remains open with the melons still unfound.

This is the latest in a string of reports where produce has been the product of choice for nefarious purposes, as we have previously reported. In recent weeks a man was arrested and charged for stealing 2.66 tons of tomatoes in India, while a “theft ring” was recently exposed after taking approximately $190,000 worth of produce freight for resale.

As we look to push more legitimate means of increased popularity for fresh produce, continue to get all your industry news from AndNowUKnow.