Episode 106: The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist
Unscrupulous thieves are willing to steal anything of value they can get their hands on, and the underground market for this sweet product is something beyond imagination. A simple breakfast table staple can net an enormous illegal profit. But the type of person willing to suck millions from a maple honeypot is also the type willing to do whatever it takes not to get caught. This week’s episode is The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist.
SOURCES
Alleged thief tells Quebec court man threatened to kill him and his family if he didn't buy stolen maple syrup. The trade in stolen maple syrup made Richard Vallières a rich man, earning him close to $1-million. But testifying in his own defence, he said he had no choice, National Post: https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/alleged-thief-tells-quebec-court-man-threatened-to-kill-him-and-his-family-if-he-didnt-buy-stolen-maple-syrup/wcm/675150d4-bde3-47e4-a640-c16313a62869/
INSIDE QUEBEC’S GREAT, MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR MAPLE-SYRUP HEIST. With the value of maple syrup at roughly $1,300 a barrel, it’s time everyone knew about FPAQ, the Canadian group that controls 72 percent of the world’s supply. Rich Cohen investigates how its methods may have led to one of the greatest agricultural crimes in all of history., Vanity Fair: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/12/maple-syrup-heist
Netflix’s Dirty Money - The Maple Syrup Heist: https://www.netflix.com/watch/80149537
Sweet revenge for Quebec maple syrup producers: Thief gets five years for role in $18.7 million heist. Avik Caron, who pleaded guilty, exploded with anger when he heard the stiff sentence. Caron swore at the judge, banged on a door and tussled with a guard, National Post: https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/sweet-revenge-for-quebec-maple-syrup-producers-thief-gets-five-years-for-role-in-18-7-million-heist
Ringleader in maple syrup heist gets 8 years in prison, $9.4M fine: If Richard Vallières can't pay his fine, his prison sentence could increase to 14 years from 8, National Post: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/richard-vallieres-sentencing-1.4090811
The Mastermind of "The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist" Has Been Found Guilty. Four years ago, thieves in Quebec made international headlines after stealing 3,000 tons of syrup from the province's maple syrup "cartel." Vice: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/ypewx7/mastermind-of-the-great-canadian-maple-syrup-heist-found-guilty
The great Canadian maple syrup heist. This here's a stickup, eh... History 101: https://www.history101.com/the-great-canadian-maple-syrup-heist/
The Unusual Story Behind the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist, The Culture Trip: https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/canada/quebec/articles/the-unusual-story-behind-the-great-canadian-maple-syrup-heist/
Ringleader in $18-million Quebec syrup heist pleads guilty just as his trial was set to begin. Considered the brains behind an $18-million theft of Quebec maple syrup, Avik Caron has pleaded guilty on the eve of a jury trial set to begin next week. Naitonal Post: https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/ringleader-in-18-million-quebec-syrup-heist-pleads-guilty-just-as-his-trial-was-set-to-begin
The Canadian Maple Syrup Cartel and the Great Maple Syrup Heist of 2012: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhy5tCH3J9M
Maple Syrup Heist, SourceFed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY1si48UEMQ
