A Lake Worth couple faces racketeering charges after authorities uncovered a statewide theft operation that generated over $1.1 million through stolen baby formula, leaving store shelves empty and families struggling to feed their children.
Fifteen-Month Investigation Uncovers Criminal Enterprise
Mohammed Alsaidi, 59, and Zeina Abdul-Hassan Sou Zabib, 49, allegedly operated a sophisticated fencing network from their Lake Worth residence and a Davie warehouse, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office. The investigation, spanning 15 months, linked the operation to more than 150 baby formula thefts across Florida between 2024 and 2026. Both defendants face conspiracy to commit racketeering and dealing in stolen property charges announced Thursday.
Today, we announced the arrests of the ringleaders responsible for over a million dollars worth of baby formula thefts.
As Florida families were struggling to find baby formula on the shelves, this couple profited off of the stolen merchandise. Not anymore. Thanks to our… pic.twitter.com/kwJR04cTyr
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) September 10, 2026
The criminal enterprise employed professional shoplifters, commonly called boosters, who targeted major retailers including Publix, Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and Winn-Dixie throughout the state. These thieves sold stolen formula cans to Alsaidi and Zabib for approximately $10 each, roughly one-fifth of retail value. The couple then stored, distributed and resold the products at significant markups, pocketing over a million dollars in illicit profits according to investigators.
Nine Accomplices Already Face Charges
Authorities have already charged nine boosters connected to the operation. Kenneth L. Jones Jr. stands accused of committing more than 50 separate thefts totaling over $70,000 in stolen baby formula. Attorney General Uthmeier condemned the operation’s impact on Florida families, stating that stealing baby formula from parents who depend on it to feed their children represents unconscionable criminal behavior. He emphasized that organized retail theft directly harms consumers through higher prices and reduced product availability.
Community Impact and Law Enforcement Response
Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw highlighted the broader consequences these crimes create for local communities. When parents cannot locate baby formula on store shelves, it generates fear of shortages and forces families to search multiple locations or purchase excessive quantities when available. This hoarding behavior further restricts access for other families depending on these essential products. Uthmeier pledged continued aggressive prosecution of organized retail theft enterprises, noting these operations are not victimless crimes but criminal conspiracies that inflate consumer prices and create artificial scarcity of necessary goods.
The Growing Problem of Organized Retail Crime
This case exemplifies a nationwide trend of organized retail theft targeting high-value, easily resold consumer products. Baby formula remains particularly attractive to criminal networks due to its consistent demand, long shelf life, and premium pricing. The investigation demonstrates how professional theft rings operate with business-like efficiency, employing multiple thieves and maintaining warehousing operations to process stolen merchandise. Law enforcement agencies increasingly prioritize dismantling these networks that treat theft as entrepreneurial ventures rather than isolated criminal acts.