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Found this just now on 14yMedio - a perfect example of Cuban "resolver" power ... ? Translation by Google. https://www.14ymedio.com/cuba/robo-toneladas_arroz-almacen_estatal-La_Habana_0_2987101268.html Only in Cuba: stealing 208 tons of rice from a state warehouse without leaving a trace 14ymedio, Havana | November 17, 2020 The history of robberies of the Cuban state sector has insurmountable milestones. Adulteration of figures, makeup of merchandise and even ingenious garments with internal pockets to transport products. This November, the Potemkin warehouse was added to the list, a pile of rice sacks that were only a facade with a large empty space in the center. The peculiar incident occurred in Basic Unit 315 of El Cotorro in Havana, according to a report by the National Television News. At the beginning of the report, nothing seemed to differentiate this robbery from many others that the official media have denounced in recent weeks, if it were not for the ingenious way in which the perpetrators hid the embezzlement. The thieves, workers of the state warehouse, erected wooden structures in the center of the piles to occupy the space of the sacks they stole. The shoring allowed the blocks to be complete during routine inspections, even though they were hollow inside. A timely count of the merchandise was necessary to discover the trap. At first the authorities found a lack of 33.5 tons of the cereal that represents, according to Manuel Andreu Hernández, director of Defense, Security and Protection, "the quota of 10,550 consumers and has an effect on the country's economy of 14,736 dollars" . However, after a more exhaustive count it was determined that a total of 208 tons were missing. "The causes and conditions that we see in this type of event are administrative lack of control and the lack of supervision of the people in charge of carrying out this type of task," an agent from the Ministry of the Interior explained to the camera. "The causes and conditions that we see in this type of event are administrative lack of control and the lack of supervision of the people in charge of carrying out this type of task," an agent from the Ministry of the Interior explained to the camera, who also explained that the product it was intended for the basic food basket and was imported from Uruguay. The agent added that this type of event occurs due to the handling of "internal control and violations of the procedures established for the commercialization, storage and transportation of products." To make up for product losses, according to official television, "the State reallocated part of its budget destined to other lines for the purchase of rice." The report stated that it is not the first time that "people with certain responsibilities in the protection of the resources destined for the basic food basket have been involved in the diversion of products." Andreu Hernández clarified that the process of inspection of the rest of the products stored in the El Cotorro facilities continues. The police, for their part, reported that the investigations have not concluded and are intended to "include in the criminal process other perpetrators that make up the criminal chain, although regardless of whether other perpetrators are found, the damage has already been done." Rice, a food that cannot be missing from the Cuban table, is one of the many that have disappeared due to the shortage and lack of supplies that the Island is experiencing in recent months. It has become seven and eight times more expensive since the pandemic began, and almost everyone traded on illegal networks is diverted from state-owned companies. The product from Uruguay is highly appreciated by Cuban consumers, who consider it to be of better quality than the one donated by Vietnam and is sold in the rationed market. The whole grain, less stones in each bag and a shelled cooking, to the traditional taste, point the preferences towards South American rice. Until the beginning of the year, it could be found at five pesos a pound in commercial establishments that sold the released product; however, it has come at unsuspected prices. This newspaper reported in May a record price of 45 pesos per pound or 90 CUC for 50 pounds, which has dropped to 20 or 25 pesos in recent weeks.