Police investigate massive maple syrup theft

AP Graphics

(AP) ST-LOUIS-DE-BLANDFORD, Quebec - Police in Quebec were following the scent of something sweet — millions of dollars' worth of maple syrup missing from a large warehouse stocking over $30 million worth of the amber nectar.

The theft puts a cavity-sized dent in Quebec's syrup stock, considered to be a global strategic reserve of the sweet stuff that is often used to replenish markets during disappointing seasons. Quebec produces up to 80 percent of the world's maple syrup.

Quebec Provincial Sgt. Claude Denis said Friday it was too soon to determine the exact quantity or value of the maple syrup stolen from the St. Louis-De-Blandford facility where over 10 million pounds (4.54 million kilograms) is stored.

The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers said it discovered the missing syrup last week during a routine inventory where empty barrels were found at the site at St-Louis-de-Blandford, Quebec. Officials initially kept the news quiet, hoping it would help police solve the crime.

Anne-Marie Granger Godbout, the executive director of the federation, said that while it isn't unusual for individual maple syrup producers to have stock stolen, having millions worth of syrup stolen is "unusual".

"It's the first time something like this has happened," she said. "We've never seen a robbery of this magnitude."

She said the disappearance of the stock wasn't obvious at first in the huge warehouse. The facility alone houses nearly the equivalent of half the entire U.S. production of maple syrup in a year, she said.

"The U.S. market is the main market for maple syrup, about 75 percent of Canadian maple syrup is directly exported to the U.S.," she said. She noted the theft was particularly ill-timed after a disappointing 2012 season for U.S. producers, triggering more demand for Canadian syrup.

She said auditors would require a few more days to determine how many of the 45-gallon barrels have been emptied.

Theft of stock at the individual producer level prompted the industry in Quebec to group inventory in locations such as this, Granger Godbout said.

[audemus]

I understand there's a honey shortage, better check with the fellows at Pooh Corner.

[Ulgnud]

I am surprised. How would one market this much stolen product without being caught? Could it have been a way to control supply and manipulate prices upward? I am also surprised that there are few other sources of this delicious product. There are other places where these maple trees would grow.

[Daniel-in-Texas]

This is a sticky situation for sure and it smells like an inside job. Someone sure has sticky fingers, but at least they have good taste. How did they come up with "millions" when they don't know how much was stolden? Maybe they have an inventory control problem? Will if the cops have the scent maybe they will stick to it and find the sticky fingered culprits.

[cntrygirl3]

Where does one sell black market maple syrup. I mean in unmarked jugs or on street corners or what?

[Al_Gould]

Are we seeing the beginning of a wacky McKenzie Brothers heist flick? Watch this space!

[tmittelstaed]

So we are supposed to feel sorry for a cartel that cornered the market on maple syrup years ago? This is why the price of the stuff does not float from year to year according to the free market laws. This group is as bad as DeBeers is with diamonds.

[nehicks]

Carmen SanDiego did it. They need to look for her.