Can Smuggling in the U.S.
The U.S. has a patchwork of deposit laws on soft drink bottles and cans. Most states have no deposit, but some states—Michigan, for example—have deposits. The cans are the same, so you can make ten cents by buying a can in one state and then returning it for the deposit in Michigan.
Ten people have been arrested for making more than $500,000 doing this:
They ran grocery stores such as Save Plus Superstore in Pontiac, The Larosa Market In Sylvan Lake and Value Foods in Ypsilanti, police also raided The Farmer John, Savemart Food Center and the Americana foods, all three in Detroit.
Investigators alleged that millions of non-redeemable out-of-state cans were collected, crushed, packaged in plastic bags and sold at a discount to merchants who then redeemed them.
Bulk redemption payments from the state are based on weight.
Nice arbitrage scam.
Mike • September 28, 2007 10:28 AM
They’re just following Kramer and Neuman’s lead!