The Greatest Heist In Canada's History Wasn't What You'd Think

Maple syrup is worth a lot of money

Photo by Nadine Primeau on Unsplash

The aptly named Great Maple Syrup Heist was the greatest theft in Canadian history. Over a 10-month period, from 2011 to 2012, a group of thieves managed to steal an impressive 2700 tons of maple syrup - Canada’s liquid gold.

You’d think maple syrup would be an odd target for a gang of criminals, but it’s actually pretty valuable. The average price in the USA for a gallon of maple syrup is around $30, but a quick Google search will show that it can sell for well over $50. The really good stuff is worth even more than that.

That’s why 2700 tons of maple syrup was worth around $18 million Canadian dollars at the time.

There’s liquid gold in Canada’s famous trees, and in Quebec, the world’s largest maple syrup producer, vast amounts of it were stored in one place. Why steal small when you have a Fort K…