'Nacho Cheese!' Thieves Pull Off $390K Cheddar Heist
Talk about getting caught in a melted mess. In London, a daring cheese heist has left a famous dairy supplier and artisanal cheesemakers reeling after fraudsters posing as wholesalers made off with more than 24 tons of premium cheddar. It's a tale that might leave you saying, "That's nacho cheese!"
The Cheddar Con
On Oct. 21, 2024, Neal's Yard Dairy, a renowned cheese supplier in Southwark, London, received an order from individuals claiming to be wholesalers representing a major French retailer. According to reports, the scammers requested 950 wheels of clothbound cheddar, and the unsuspecting company delivered the goods.
However, it wasn't until the entire shipment had been handed over that the dairy realized it had been duped. By then, the fraudsters — and the cheese, worth over $390,000 — had vanished.
Tom Calver, a cheesemaker at Westcombe Dairy, one of the suppliers affected, described the crime as "a hoax — it was theft, it was fraud," Calver said in a video posted on social media, as reported by NBC News, where he stood in front of shelves left bare by the theft.
Police Make an Arrest
Authorities quickly launched an investigation and arrested a 63-year-old man on Oct. 30. According to the Metropolitan Police, he was taken to a south London police station for questioning and released on bail as the case remains under investigation. The stolen cheese has yet to be recovered.
Cheesemakers Left Reeling
The heist affected several cheesemakers, including suppliers of Hafod Welsh organic cheddar, Westcombe cheddar, and Pitchfork cheddar. Despite the financial blow, Neal's Yard Dairy honored its commitment to pay the cheesemakers in full for the stolen goods.
Trethowan Brothers, who make the award-winning Pitchfork cheddar, praised Neal's Yard for their quick action. "The way they have handled this horrible situation has only deepened our respect and admiration for them," the company said on a social media post, as reported by NBC News.
Spreading the Word
Even celebrity chef Jamie Oliver got involved, warning his 10.5 million Instagram followers to be on the lookout for black-market cheddar. "Remember, if the deal seems too gouda to be true, it probably is," Oliver quipped, as reported by NBC News.
Neal's Yard Dairy also took to social media to thank law enforcement for their efforts. "We are grateful for the progress they have made, and we will continue to support their investigation in any way we can," the company wrote on social media, according to NBC News.
A Serious Loss for Small Producers
The theft has caused significant financial strain for Neal's Yard Dairy and its suppliers. The company is now dealing with the fallout while hoping for the stolen goods to be recovered. Neal's Yard sells some of the affected cheeses for as much as £12.90 for just 300 grams, illustrating the high value of the stolen products.
This bizarre crime has not only left the shelves at Neal's Yard Dairy unusually empty, but also highlighted the vulnerability of small businesses to cunning schemes. As police work to crack the case, authorities have yet to locate the missing cheese or the other individuals involved in the scam. For now, cheesemakers, police, and fans of artisanal dairy alike are hoping for a resolution to this "grate" mystery.
References: Man arrested after high-value cheese theft | 'Grate cheese robbery': Man arrested after 24 tons of cheddar totaling $390,000 is stolen in London
