Three men who stole more than $18 million worth of maple
syrup from the Quebec marketing board have been hit with severe sentences.
Richard Vallieres, the chief culprit, was sentenced to eight
years in prison, fined $9.4 million and forfeited $606,500 seized by police.
If he fails to pay his fine within 10 years, he risks an
additional prison term of six years.
Raymond Vallieres and Etienne St-Pierre were sentenced to
two years, minus one day, and three years probation.The one-day reduction means they will serve their time in a provincial rather than a federal prison.
Raymond has been given one year to pay a $9,840 fine or stay
in jail for another six months.
St-Pierre has been given 15 years to pay a $1.3-million fine
or an additional five years in prison.
The thieves siphoned maple syrup from barrels in a
warehouse, replacing it with water.
