The Cornerstone Report: Volume 2, Issue 1

Ringleader In Organized Retail Theft Scheme Gets Jail Time

From 2001 to 2003, Mohammed Khalil Ghali oversaw an organized criminal ring that moved and sold millions of dollars worth of goods stolen from retail stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. A federal judge closed the book on Ghali’s criminal activities on February 2, when Ghali was sentenced to 14 years in prison following his April 2004 conviction.

Ghali’s criminal ring orchestrated a major organized theft operation under which thieves were paid cash for items shoplifted or otherwise stolen from convenience stores, supermarkets and other retail establishments.

The goods included baby formula, pharmaceuticals, cigarettes, health and beauty aids, nicotine gum and other items. Upon receiving the stolen property, Ghali’s organization would pay the thieves up to 50 percent of the average retail price for the items. The stolen goods were then delivered to warehouses, from which they were shipped and sold throughout the United States under the name of “Sunshine Wholesale.”

In addition, during the course of the investigation, it was learned that Ghali had made inquiries as to how much it would cost to have the prosecutor and case agent killed by gang members.

A joint investigation that included ICE, the Fort Worth Police Department, the IRS, the Food and Drug Administration and others led to Ghali’s arrest and conviction on charges that included theft, money laundering and criminal conspiracy. In addition, six members of his organization pled guilty, receiving sentences from probation to 30 months in prison.

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Ringleader In Organized Retail Theft Scheme Gets Jail Time

Cornerstone Calendar

Cornerstone is U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) comprehensive investigative initiative for fighting financial crime, trade fraud and intellectual property crime.

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