Taste for sinful chocolates leads a gang of criminals to prison

It was not surprising that a gang of thieves apprehended in Delhi last week was found with purloined imported chocolates as well as stolen money, considering cacao costs more than a few beans these days. There cannot be more proof of the sinfulness of their craving that chocolate landed them behind bars. They apparently burgled confectionary stores at the end of every monetary target, almost like ending a satisfactory meal.

That these hardened criminals — wanted for murder, extortion and robbery — displayed a sweeter side by swiping both cash and chocolates in their sticky-fingered felonious forays, will probably not melt any judicial hearts.

What is truly surprising, however, is that these chocoholic villains were not unique; rather, they seem to be part of a worldwide phenomenon. From periodic marauding raids in Madagascar to commandeer precious cacao bean stocks from poor farmers to multimillion-euro heists of tonnes of boxed Swiss chocolates and even spreads, a sweet criminal enterprise flourishes.

Only when large caches of hot (stolen) chocolate are seized — 50 tonnes were impounded near Naples just last month — does the prospect arise that chocolates could be worth their weight in gold… bars. Hopefully, the international prevalence of this crime wave will not escape the notice of Indian authorities.