This article was really shocking and get my blood boiling. This topic is a terrorism-related topic. Please read...
RALEIGHN.C. - Babies and criminals now have something in common, an affinity for formula. It's an expensive powder that is easily found on store shelves. Mothers feed their babies with it and criminals are making a killing off of it. FBI agent Mike Sutton told NBC 17 he's busted two infant formula theft rings in the Triangle in the past 18 months. In the most recent case, eight illegal immigrants pleaded guilty in federal court last month to stealing and reselling $2.5 million in baby formula. "It is a multibillion-dollar criminal enterprise," Sutton said. The suspects lived in apartments in Raleigh and Morrisville and spent their days shoplifting cans of formula. "They may go in and steal three to four cans at a time and continue to do this," Sutton said. "It may be the only work that they do." According to the indictment of the men, the formula was kept in the suspects' apartments and a rented storage unit. It was then sold to a middleman or fencer. "These fencers resell it to other individuals and have it repackaged and then sell it to stores ... mostly private, independently-owned stores," Sutton said. The formula was trucked from Raleigh and Greensboro to the Midwest, cities like Columbus, Ohio . and Milwaukee, Wis. Sutton said the case is far from closed. "Some suspects have yet to be apprehended and one suspect is going to trial," Sutton said. In December Wake County sheriff's deputies spotted a trailer with expired tags. They pulled it over and found various brands of baby formula inside, including Enfamil, Simulac and Nestle worth more than $60,000. Two summers ago, FBI agents busted 20 people delivering stolen baby formula to a warehouse in downtown Raleigh. Salah Abu-Gharbieh, a former Raleigh businessman, is serving nearly five years in federal prison for his role in that baby formula theft ring. "Abu-Gharbieh was responsible for $13 million worth of stolen product in a three-year period," Sutton said. Agents traced 200 of the shipments to Louisville, Ky. The recipient is still operating, but he has been indicted.
Where Does The Money Go?
At more than $20 a can, thieves recognize the cash cow. "It's a way to get quick money," Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said. But who is profiting? "The sale of Enfamil is tied in to terrorist activity," Deputy James Cadona, of the Wake County Sheriff's Department, told NBC 17. "The proceeds go to fund terrorism ... there's a whole lot going on here." Harrison agreed with his deputy's theory, saying profits from black market sales often are funneled into gang or terrorist activity. Sutton stopped short of linking the baby formula rings and terrorism, but said it wouldn't surprise him. "We believe that terrorist organizations are going to do whatever they can to acquire funding and they are going to use current criminal enterprises," Sutton said. Authorities said the baby formula thieves might not even realize the money will end up going to terrorists.
Resold Formula Can Be Unsafe
Authorities say the innocent victims in the crime wave are the babies. Mothers who buy the food off the black market or even legitimately from smaller stores may unknowingly feed their baby unsafe formula. Sutton said the formula cans are not stored at room temperature and the labels are sometimes changed before the product ends up at small, independently owned stores. "I think (parents) need to be concerned about where the product comes from," Sutton said. "What if something happens and a child has to go to the hospital. Or if it dies?" Harrison said. Officials are urging parents not to buy formula if the can is dented or altered in any way because it might be what is advertised. Reporter: Kim Genardo
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6913142/
RALEIGHN.C. - Babies and criminals now have something in common, an affinity for formula. It's an expensive powder that is easily found on store shelves. Mothers feed their babies with it and criminals are making a killing off of it. FBI agent Mike Sutton told NBC 17 he's busted two infant formula theft rings in the Triangle in the past 18 months. In the most recent case, eight illegal immigrants pleaded guilty in federal court last month to stealing and reselling $2.5 million in baby formula. "It is a multibillion-dollar criminal enterprise," Sutton said. The suspects lived in apartments in Raleigh and Morrisville and spent their days shoplifting cans of formula. "They may go in and steal three to four cans at a time and continue to do this," Sutton said. "It may be the only work that they do." According to the indictment of the men, the formula was kept in the suspects' apartments and a rented storage unit. It was then sold to a middleman or fencer. "These fencers resell it to other individuals and have it repackaged and then sell it to stores ... mostly private, independently-owned stores," Sutton said. The formula was trucked from Raleigh and Greensboro to the Midwest, cities like Columbus, Ohio . and Milwaukee, Wis. Sutton said the case is far from closed. "Some suspects have yet to be apprehended and one suspect is going to trial," Sutton said. In December Wake County sheriff's deputies spotted a trailer with expired tags. They pulled it over and found various brands of baby formula inside, including Enfamil, Simulac and Nestle worth more than $60,000. Two summers ago, FBI agents busted 20 people delivering stolen baby formula to a warehouse in downtown Raleigh. Salah Abu-Gharbieh, a former Raleigh businessman, is serving nearly five years in federal prison for his role in that baby formula theft ring. "Abu-Gharbieh was responsible for $13 million worth of stolen product in a three-year period," Sutton said. Agents traced 200 of the shipments to Louisville, Ky. The recipient is still operating, but he has been indicted.
Where Does The Money Go?
At more than $20 a can, thieves recognize the cash cow. "It's a way to get quick money," Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said. But who is profiting? "The sale of Enfamil is tied in to terrorist activity," Deputy James Cadona, of the Wake County Sheriff's Department, told NBC 17. "The proceeds go to fund terrorism ... there's a whole lot going on here." Harrison agreed with his deputy's theory, saying profits from black market sales often are funneled into gang or terrorist activity. Sutton stopped short of linking the baby formula rings and terrorism, but said it wouldn't surprise him. "We believe that terrorist organizations are going to do whatever they can to acquire funding and they are going to use current criminal enterprises," Sutton said. Authorities said the baby formula thieves might not even realize the money will end up going to terrorists.
Resold Formula Can Be Unsafe
Authorities say the innocent victims in the crime wave are the babies. Mothers who buy the food off the black market or even legitimately from smaller stores may unknowingly feed their baby unsafe formula. Sutton said the formula cans are not stored at room temperature and the labels are sometimes changed before the product ends up at small, independently owned stores. "I think (parents) need to be concerned about where the product comes from," Sutton said. "What if something happens and a child has to go to the hospital. Or if it dies?" Harrison said. Officials are urging parents not to buy formula if the can is dented or altered in any way because it might be what is advertised. Reporter: Kim Genardo
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6913142/
