The Crown says three men convicted in an $18-million maple syrup heist should face stiff penalties for their part in the scheme.
Prosecutor Julien Beauchamp-Laliberte told a court in Trois-Rivieres today the men should pay back the value of the syrup plus additional fines and should serve jail terms ranging from three to eight years.
A jury found Richard Vallieres, Raymond Vallieres and Etienne St-Pierre guilty last November in connection with the theft of 2,700 tons of the syrup from a warehouse in Quebec between August 2011 and July 2012.
Beauchamp-Laliberte said Richard Vallieres should get the stiffest sentence, suggesting eight years in jail and a $9.4-million fine on top of paying back his share of the value of the syrup.
He said Richard Vallieres' lawyer suggested a jail term of three to five years for his client, who was convicted of theft, fraud and receiving stolen goods.
Sentencing arguments will continue Feb. 13.