Four Mexican national charged in Oklahoma City in baby formula theft ring

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Charges are filed in Oklahoma County against four Mexican national accused in a shoplifting ring.<br/><br/>Diana Savalo, Pearla Visnaga, Arsenio Tepozotlan and Oscar Ramirez are accused

Wednesday, June 1st 2005, 6:09 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Charges are filed in Oklahoma County against four Mexican national accused in a shoplifting ring.

Diana Savalo, Pearla Visnaga, Arsenio Tepozotlan and Oscar Ramirez are accused of stealing nearly 1,800 cans of baby formula. They were charged Tuesday with concealing stolen property and larceny of merchandise from a retailer.

Court papers say the gang of shoplifters were shipping about 2,000 pounds of baby formula to Kentucky every two weeks.

The theft of infant formula reportedly has been profitable for organized crime nationwide, and authorities think some of the proceeds may be used to fund terrorism.

An official with the state Health Department says infant formula theft is a growing problem and that the formula is repackaged and sold on the black market.