It's Only 2 Hours to Michigan

By Louis in News on Sep 27, 2007 6:47PM

Kramer and Newman couldn't make it work, but crooks in Ohio and Michigan can. Michigan police officers have busted a crime ring that transports and sells out-of-state, non-redeemable cans and turns them in for that sweet, sweet 10 cent payoff. The 13 crooks were arrested with $500,000 in cash. That's...a lot of cans.

The 67-count warrant was a part of Operation Can Scam that busted two smuggling rings based in Ohio and Michigan. Investigators allege that the scheme collected, crushed, packaged, and transported millions of cans, and then sold them at a discount to merchants who cashed them in. (The state redeems bulk cans by weight).

"Each year, this type of activity defrauds the state approximately $13 million," said Col. Peter Munoz, Michigan State Police director. "A half-million in cash is not 'Seinfeld' humor," an Attorney General spokesperson said, and he is right: It is not humorous. It is amazing.