Cults & Cons: The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist
Summary
Hosts Sabrina Deanna Rogga and Corinne Vienne investigate the 2012 Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist, where thieves stole $18.7 million worth of syrup from Quebec’s strategic reserve. The episode details how Richard Valliere and accomplices drained barrels and refilled them with water to bypass the controversial Quebec Maple Syrup Producers federation. Despite the heist’s scale, the crew was caught after an accountant discovered empty barrels, leading to arrests, trials, and significant fines for the perpetrators.
Topics discussed
Intro: Crimes of Reddit and the Maple Syrup Heist
Sponsors: Weight loss and Quince clothing
The Discovery: Michel finds empty barrels
Context: The global maple syrup industry
The Federation: Quebec's maple syrup cartel
Sponsors: Earnest loans and Great Wolf Lodge
The Crew: Richard, Avik, and Sebastian meet
The Heist: Draining syrup and refilling with water
Selling the Syrup and Living Large
The Investigation: Clues lead to the thieves
Sponsors: Squarespace and Wayfair
Arrests: Etienne caught and crew turns on each other
Trials: Confessions, lies, and sentences
Aftermath: Federation consequences and black market
Conclusion: Where is the syrup and final thoughts
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