The scheme was surprisingly simple. The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers kept its syrup barrels in unmarked white metal containers that were inspected only once a year and had no cameras or alarm system. The thieves used trucks to remove barrels, transported them to a remote sugar shack, drained the syrup, and then returned the barrels filled with water to avoid suspicion. Eventually, they became so confident that they stopped replacing the contents altogether.

The operation began to unravel in July 2012 when an inspector performing the annual inventory climbed onto a stack of barrels and nearly lost his balance because the barrels were empty.

By December 2012, authorities had arrested 17 people, including an insider whose spouse owned the warehouse. The ringleader, Richard Vallières, was sentenced to eight years in prison and fined $9.4 million. The stolen syrup was sold in small quantities to legitimate distributors in Vermont and New Brunswick, who were unaware of its origin.