Maple syrup is shown in bottles. Three people were detained today in connection with the theft of a large quantity of the national condiment from a warehouse in Quebec. Police also seized vehicles suspected of being used in the illicit trafficking of the stolen syrup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Toby Talbot, File
December 18, 2012 - 7:51 AM
MONTREAL - There have been arrests in the case of a massive maple syrup heist.
Three people were detained today in connection with the theft of a large quantity of the national condiment from a warehouse in Quebec.
Police also seized vehicles suspected of being used in the illicit trafficking of the stolen syrup.
Those arrested are scheduled to face charges today in a Trois-Rivieres courtroom of theft, conspiracy, fraud and trafficking in stolen goods.
There are arrest warrants out for five other people.
Officers from the RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement assisted the Quebec provincial police in the investigation — which featured interviews with 300 people in the maple syrup industry in Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and the northern U.S.
Police never disclosed the exact amount of maple syrup reported stolen in August. But it's known the loot came from a warehouse containing Quebec's maple syrup reserves, which was supposed to hold 4.5 million kilos valued at $30 million.
The theft was discovered during a routine inventory check at the warehouse belonging to the Quebec Federation of Maple Syrup Producers in St-Louis-de-Blandford, Que.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012