NYT gives the back-story behind the 16M-pound theft
(NEWSER) – With Tuesday's arrests of three of the thieves behind the $18 million maple syrup heist uncovered in Quebec in August, investigators are revealing details of how the job was done, reports the New York Times. But in order to understand the crime, you need to know the victim: the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers. The Times describes it as a "cartel" that controls the bulk of the world's maple syrup supply; "it's like OPEC," says its acting head. To keep prices high, it stockpiles syrup produced in excess of the strict quota it sets for its members; in a bad year, it'll dip into the reserve (which now stands at 46 million pounds) to keep the supply consistent.
Read more: Newser
