More than half a million dollars in cash has been seized in what is being termed "Operation Can Scam." 13 of 15 suspects are being held as part of a smuggling ring that cashed in on Michigan's higher deposit rates.
DETROIT- Reminiscent of a 1996 episode from the popular television sitcom 'Seinfeld' where two characters, 'Kramer' and 'Newman', concoct a scheme whereby five-cent cans from New York are cashed across the border in Michigan for a profit. Michigan has a 10-cent deposit on bottles and cans where the rest of the U.S offers five cents.
Investigators allege that the men cashed in millions of non-redeemable out-of-state cans by collecting them, crushing and packaging them in plastic bags before selling them to merchants at a discounted rate. The merchants then redeemed them from the state in bulk based strictly on weight.
Those arrested included merchants from Michigan who conspired with Ohio men on the scheme. They face charges including 'maintaining a continuing criminal enterprise'. Convictions could net the accused 20 year sentences.
Each year, this type of activity defrauds the state approximately $13 million, said Col. Peter Munoz, Michigan State Police director.
The Michigan Bottle Deposit Fund, uses the proceeds to pay for environmental cleanup efforts, Attorney General Mike Cox said in a statement.
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