What to Know About the Real Canadian Maple Syrup Heist That Inspired The Sticky

As a seasoned cinema enthusiast with a penchant for delving into the intricacies of real-life events, I found myself utterly captivated by the audacious Maple Syrup Heist saga. Hailing from Canada’s frigid heartland, I can attest to the profound affection Canadians harbor for our national sweetener – maple syrup. Yet, this heist, as absurd as it sounds, is a testament to human ingenuity and the lengths one will go to circumvent bureaucratic red tape.

In early 2011 and 2012, a significant heist unfolded approximately two hours north of Montreal, targeting a massive maple syrup storage facility. This crime spanned over several months and resulted in the illicit acquisition of around $18 million worth of maple syrup, making it one of the biggest agricultural thefts recorded in history.

Here’s what to know about the maple syrup heist, why it happened, and how the series lampoons the whole debacle. 

How the maple syrup heist happened in real life

Quebec is the top worldwide manufacturer of maple syrup, much like the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Quebec Maple Syrup Producers federation oversees the production to stabilize its cost by establishing an annual sales quota. Excess syrup is stored in a rented facility under the watchful eye of a single security guard.

The authority held by the federation within the industry restricts some individuals who cultivate maple trees for syrup production from selling their goods. Many members of this federation are descendants of its original founders, who were grandfathered in. New growers would find it challenging to enter the system due to quotas and a lengthy waiting list. Brendan Borrell, author of “Sticky Gold” (2013 Bloomberg Businessweek feature on the heist), describes this tension between prospective growers and the federation as a “Canadian Cold War in miniature.” Essentially, it’s infuriating for those with maple resources to nurture and potentially harvest annually, only to be denied by this organization.

Despite this obstacle, people persisted in their efforts. Borrell clarifies that the federation had covert agents who monitored roadside maple syrup vendors and investigated individuals with unusually high electricity bills, as making maple syrup involves considerable electrical consumption.

According to Borrell, a band of rebels who were against the regulations in Canada’s maple syrup market organized the robbery, as they were fed up with the restrictions.

At the close of the maple syrup season, the heavy (approximately 620 lbs) barrels that had been pilfered were swapped out for barrels filled with water in the real world.

How the maple syrup heist happens in The Sticky

Screenwriter Brian Donovan clarifies that the characters in “The Sticky” are not based on real individuals. He opted against using real characters because the heist involves people who are alive, have committed crimes, and might prefer their stories remain untold. In his own words, “let’s avoid attempting to replicate reality. Instead, let’s be inspired by what transpired and create from there.

In the series, the robbery takes place within just a few hours. The fictional burglars aim to swap the barrels containing lake water instead, but they run out of time and drain the maple syrup using suction, filling it with water instead. However, contrary to how The Sticky begins, there was no body found in a barrel of syrup during the 2012 heist.

In “The Sticky,” a group of thieves infiltrate the warehouse with the assistance of a security guard named Remy (played by Guillaume Cyr). This character, who resides with his parents and struggles to find his life’s direction, often clashes with his overly protective father. In an ironic twist, Remy’s dad unknowingly interrupts the heist during a visit meant to spend more time together. However, it’s important to note that while someone from within the warehouse (a tenant of another section) did aid in the robbery, the character of Remy is purely fictional.

In the series, there’s a character named Ruth (played by Margo Martindale), who clandestinely intends to tap trees in her yard and sell the maple syrup illicitly due to federal restrictions. Financial constraints are pressing on her because her husband is in a coma. This is happening within the context of the United States.

The aftermath of the real-life heist

In July 2012, during a regular check of their storage facility, the organization found evidence of a burglary. At least 16 individuals were subsequently apprehended by law enforcement.

In the end, the mastermind behind the scheme, Richard Valliere, was held accountable for fraud, trading illegal goods, and burglary. Consequently, he received an eight-year prison sentence and owed over $9 million in penalties.

The federation still exists. It now stores maple syrup in a more secure facility. 

Borrell concludes, “It seems unlikely that another heist of this scale will ever happen again.

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2024-12-06 20:06