Gang of tradies steal baby formula in Sydney

This is the shocking moment a pair of baby formula bandits dressed in high-vis jackets make a run for it as they try to steal tins of powder.

Gangs of tradies have been caught on camera brazenly shoplifting hundreds of dollars worth of the product across Sydney.

The men are seen stashing baby formula in gym bags or even just running off with shopping baskets filled with the goods, the footage reveals.

It is believed the thieves are shipping tonnes of baby formula to lucrative international buyers for a high profit. 

This is the shocking moment a pair of baby formula bandits dressed in high-vis jackets make a run for it as they try to steal tins of powder.

Shane Windred, professional thief catcher, observed 10 tins worth $300 be stolen in 20 minutes from a store in Concord, Sydney’s inner west.

Police were then led to a 24-foot container ‘full to the brim’ with the product, Mr Windred said.

In recent months, police raids have uncovered large quantities of stolen formula.

Evidence of coordinated syndicates and links to criminal gangs have also been uncovered through the police raids.

A number of stores have been hit by gangs of tradies in high-visibility clothing ripping tins of the valuable commodity off the shelf, stashing it into their bags and returning a number of times 

It is believed the thieves are shipping tonnes of baby formula to lucrative international buyers for a high profit 

One man has taken to social media to share his support for the thieves stating on Twitter: ‘That’s what happens when people need two or more jobs to feed their family, its also what happens when you drive up house prices and make more families struggle, it also occurs when items prices get jacked with the population increase.’

However, this is not common sentiment with other social media users sharing opinions such as ‘disgusting’ and ‘such a shame’. 

Australian-made baby formula fetches a high price in overseas markets such as China, where the domestically produced equivalents are not considered as safe or as pure.

In recent months, police raids have uncovered large quantities of stolen formula

In recent months, police raids have uncovered large quantities of stolen formula

Chinese Sydneysiders are frequently seen buying up the product from Australian chemists and sending large quantities back home, or advertising them on social media to make a sizable profit.

These shoppers are known as ‘daigou’ – a Chinese word that translates to ‘buying on behalf of’.

It is understood the new Sydney-wide cartel of shoplifting formula dealers is tapping in to this booming baby formula market.

 Chinese Sydneysiders are frequently seen buying up the product from Australian chemists and sending large quantities back home, or advertising them on social media to make a sizable profit

 Chinese Sydneysiders are frequently seen buying up the product from Australian chemists and sending large quantities back home, or advertising them on social media to make a sizable profit

In 2017, digital marketer, Benjamin Sun from Think China estimated there were around 80,000 ‘daigou’ plying their trade in Australia – up from 40,000 in 2014.

Diagou shoppers have been criticised in the past after footage emerged of huge queues of people waiting to stockpile baby formula and ship it overseas – while Australian mothers were left with limited access to the product.

In attempts to combat stockpiled baby formula, where some footage showed customers grabbing it off the trolleys before it could even reach the shelves, major supermarkets and other stores were forced to set consumer limits.

Woolworths announced in October 2017 it’s supermarket chain was introducing a stricter limit in order to give all customers a fair chance.

‘At Woolworths, we understand the frustration that our customers can feel when they can’t get the products they need and this is another example where we’ve taken action to do the right thing,’ said merchandise manager James Hepworth.

‘This is particularly the case when it comes to family necessities such as baby formula.’

In attempts to combat stockpiled baby formula, where some footage showed customers grabbing it off the trolleys before it could even reach the shelves, major supermarkets and other stores were forced to set consumer limits

In attempts to combat stockpiled baby formula, where some footage showed customers grabbing it off the trolleys before it could even reach the shelves, major supermarkets and other stores were forced to set consumer limits

At the time of the reduced limit announcement, Mr Hepworth said the majority of Woolworths customers purchase only the necessary amounts of baby formula.

‘However, by reducing our can limit to two per shop means we are better placed to support our customers in purchasing this essential item.’

‘Our two-tin formula limit has been in place since October 2017 and is designed to ensure more of our customers have access to the products they need for their family,’ he said.

‘While the majority of customers only buy the product they need for their family, our store teams continue to work hard to uphold the two-tin limit.

‘We continue to look for new ways to ensure guaranteed stock for Australian families with our suppliers.’

Daily Mail Australia has contacted NSW Police for comment about the alleged ‘cartel’.

The baby formula reselling craze

The demand for baby formula from Chinese consumers in particular has led makers Aptamil to increase their production by 50 per cent in just three months.

An Australia Post office recently opened in the Sydney suburb of Chatswood, 20% of whose population is Chinese from birth, with a sign on the door advertising ‘direct mail to China’ and shelves lined with baby formula

Many major supermarkets have set a limit per customer – such as Coles and Woolworths who have enforced a four-item-limit on brands like Aptamil Gold-plus.

Asian shoppers reportedly just go through the checkout and come back to buy more, though.

Source: news.com.au 

 



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