"This is definitely not the kind of post we thought we'd write as the holidays approach. We've been robbed and our fresh and frozen snails stash has been robbed, the post stated. The coming weeks are usually the most important for us... so this is a shock, a misunderstanding, and a real blow to the entire team. We are trying our best to restock our stocks to satisfy you for the holidays."
"Dauvergne told Le Parisien he was in a state of shock when he discovered the snails had been taken. They cut the fence, broke down the door with a crowbar, and smashed the light detectors, he explained. Then they helped themselves to things in my cold storage rooms. It's very surprising because they stole raw materials: 450 kg of snail meat. It's incredible to have stolen such a quantity. It must be the work of a very organized network."
"There are 271 snail farms in France and Dauvergne said the high profile of his farm meant it made them a target. We are starting to get known and that's certainly what attracted the crooks, he told Le Parisien. Epernay police officer, Commander Remi Dubois, said the snails were worth almost as much as champagne and believed the thieves were likely experienced and professional. The French consume about 14,300 tonnes of snails a year but 95 per cent are imported , according to the chambers of Agriculture."
About 450 kg of French snails valued at around €90,000 were stolen from L'Escargot des Grands in the Champagne region between Sunday night and Monday morning. The haul equalled enough snails for roughly 10,000 meals and represented the farm's entire annual production, much of which was earmarked for Christmas deliveries to fine restaurants including a Michelin-starred venue in Reims. Entry involved cutting a fence, breaking a door with a crowbar and disabling light detectors, with mollusks removed from cold storage. Authorities assessed the theft as likely organized and professional. France consumes about 14,300 tonnes of snails annually, with 95% imported.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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