Over 22,000 kilograms of cheddar cheese worth Rs 3 crore stolen in major scam…

In a well-organized operation, thieves posing as wholesale distributors of a well-known French retailer successfully defrauded London’s Neal’s Yard Dairy, stealing an impressive 22 tons of high-quality cheddar cheese, according to The Metro. The heist, which involved more than 950 rounds of premium artisan cheddar cheese, sent shockwaves through the cheese industry and left the dairy and its partners facing a major financial hit.

The theft, which occurred at Neal’s Yard Dairy warehouse in Southwark, involved criminals posing as legitimate suppliers to a leading French retailer. The dairy workers, deceived by the thieves’ actions, handed over a valuable parcel, thinking that it was an ordinary transaction. Only when the cheese ran out did the dairy realize that it had fallen victim to a sophisticated fraud.

The Metropolitan Police, who are investigating the incident, said: “On Monday, October 21, we received a report of a significant quantity of cheese being stolen from a producer in Southwark. An investigation is underway to determine the details of the incident.” However, authorities have not yet made any arrests in connection with the theft.

Despite significant losses, Neal’s Yard Dairy has pledged to support small cheese producers affected by the theft – Hafod, Westcombe and Pitchfork. These artisan cheesemakers, known for their handcrafted premium cheddar cheese, will not face financial consequences due to Neal’s Yard Dairy’s commitment to cover costs related to the theft.

This support underlines the dairy’s commitment to producers during this extraordinary event. With losses estimated at around £300,000 (over Rs 3 crore), the stolen cheese makes up a significant portion of Neal’s Yard’s cheddar stock, affecting both the company and its artisan partners.

Celebrity chef and restaurateur Jamie Oliver shared his shock at the theft on Instagram, helping to raise awareness of the incident on social media. He said: “In a shocking turn of events, Neal’s Yard Creamery became the target of a daring robbery of epic proportions,” highlighting the significant value of the stolen cheddar cheese.

As the investigation progresses, the incident has raised concerns in the cheesemaking community, which hopes the case will lead to increased awareness of supply chain security.