Baby Formula Bandits Busted in Florida

Florida authorities say they busted a baby-formula operation that was apparently running on powdered milk and pure audacity.

Two Lake Worth residents, Mohammed Alsaidi and Zeina Zabib, are accused of running a theft ring that brought in about $1.1 million. Prosecutors say professional shoplifters hit more than 150 stores across Florida—Publix, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Winn-Dixie—the whole retail greatest-hits album.

The alleged boosters would swipe cans of formula, then sell them to the couple for about ten bucks each. That’s roughly one-fifth of retail, because apparently “clearance aisle” wasn’t cutting it. Investigators say the formula was then stored, distributed and resold from a Lake Worth home and a Davie warehouse.

Police reportedly found formula, electronics, other merchandise and ledgers during a search—always a tough look when your alleged business records are more organized than your taxes.

Nine alleged shoplifters have also been charged. The two accused ringleaders have pleaded not guilty and, if convicted on racketeering charges, could face up to 90 years in prison.

Photo by Alex Saks on Unsplash