Australian police hunt thieves in $319,000 oyster heist
Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments
The molluscs were lifted from an oyster farm near the town of Taree, north of Sydney.
PHOTO: UNSPLASH
- Australian police are searching for thieves who stole 400,000 oysters valued at A$350,000 from a farm near Taree, north of Sydney.
- The theft happened earlier this year but was only reported to police on August 25.
- Police have asked the public for information to help solve the case involving this large-scale oyster heist.
AI generated
SYDNEY – Australian police said on Aug 26 they were on the hunt for thieves who made off with hundreds of thousands of oysters.
The molluscs have an estimated total value of A$350,000 (S$319,191) and were lifted from an oyster farm near the town of Taree, north of Sydney, New South Wales police said.
Over three hundred bags containing 400,000 oysters were stolen.
Police are urging the public to come forward with any information they might have about the theft, which they said happened “earlier this year” but was reported to them only on Aug 25.
Oysters are a staple of brunch menus and seafood buffets across Australia, with local varieties famed for their rich, creamy flavour.
Oyster grower Ryan Freeman told national broadcaster ABC he had lost a third of his stock.
“We probably get through 35,000 to 40,000 dozen at Christmas time,” he said.
“That’s why the thieves would have targeted them because they’re not going to be far off, they’re going to be able to sell them this Christmas,” he added.
“It’s going to have a massive impact.” AFP
