DETROIT -- Authorities said they arrested 13 people and seized more than $500,000 in cash after breaking up a smuggling ring that collected millions of beverage containers in other states and cashed them in for 10 cents apiece in Michigan.
A total of 15 people were named in a 67-count warrant issued as part of Operation Can Scam, Attorney General Mike Cox said Wednesday. Some suspects were members of two smuggling rings based in Ohio and others were Michigan merchants who took part in the scheme, he said.
Investigators alleged that millions of non-redeemable out-of-state cans were collected, crushed, packaged in plastic bags and sold at a discount to merchants who then redeemed them. Bulk redemption payments from the state are based on weight.

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by gw4s: I can only imagine the feelings of frustration that is all bottled up in those who were caught.

I'm sure they were crushed

I kinda hope those entrepeneurs find a way to beat the wrap, and Michigan's governor is prosecuted for hi-way robbery. it is evident that it's NOT about recycling, but a way to put a hidden tax on citizens and business while claiming to help "Mother Earth"

the real scam here is that the state of Michigan MANDATED a deposit (tax) much higher than market value ... AND

1) adding more work & expense forcing retailers to ADD that deposit (tax) to the sale price of bottles & cans

2) adding more work & expense forcing retailers to REBATE that deposit on only a small percentage of bottles & cans, figuring that most would NOT be redeemed

3) also adding more work & expense forcing retailers to then store & process those bottles & cans

according to State officials, Michigan figured to bank 10 million plus from containers that were sold "plus deposit", but were never turned back in. now they're about breaking even ...

gee ... it basicly means that ALL (numbers-wise per yr) containers to which they added the deposit have been redeemed - ie: the stated intent of the program - -

so what's the problem -

they should reward those rebel recyclers