Canadians Bust Cheese-Smuggling Cops

Trio made $165K selling cheap cross-border cheese
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 28, 2012 1:37 AM CDT
Updated Sep 28, 2012 4:30 AM CDT
Canadians Bust Cheese-Smuggling Cops
"Brick" cheese commonly used by pizzerias is more expensive in Canada than in the US. Alleged smugglers took note.   (PRNewsFoto)

First the great maple syrup heist, now this: Police in Canada have sniffed out a large-scale cheese-smuggling ring involving a serving police officer, an officer who resigned this summer, and an American accomplice. Cheese is a lot cheaper in the US than it is in Canada, and officials believe the trio bought at least $200,000 worth of the American stuff and sold it to Canadian pizzerias and other restaurants for a profit of $165,000, the Toronto Sun reports.

The men have been charged with conspiracy, smuggling, and other violations of customs law. Smugglers bringing cases of cheese across the border can make up to $2,000 a trip if they can find a buyer, reports the CBC. "We get all our stuff legit," says one pizzeria owner who was questioned by police. "We thought it was a joke at first. Who is going to go around trying to sell smuggled cheese?" (More Canada stories.)

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