ST. LOUIS (CN) - Eight men were sentenced on federal racketeering charges for a scheme to send money to the Palestinian territories. The so-called Hamed Organization had run the scheme out of five St. Louis area-convenience stores since 2000.
The charges include bank fraud, receipt of stolen property, conducting an unlicensed money transmitting business, buying contraband cigarettes for resale, evading reporting requirements on exporting monetary instruments, and transporting monetary instruments to avoid reporting requirements.
Member of the Hamed Organization, many of whom were related, raised money through legal and illegal channels and sent proceeds to the Palestinian territories. The convenience stores were used to receive and sell stolen goods, including infant formula, computers, global positioning system devices and cigarettes.
Ghandi Hisham Hamed, 32, of Florissant, Mo., led the enterprise and was sentenced to 4 years probation and fined $5,000 for racketeering.
Nael Abdeljabbar, 49, of Florissant, was sentenced to 3 years of probation and fined $5,000 for racketeering.
Bassam Hisham Hamed, 34, of Florissant, was sentenced to 3 years probation for conspiracy to structure exportation of monetary instruments to avoid reporting requirements.
Ayoub Hisham Hamed, 28, of Hazelwood, was sentenced to 2 years probation for conspiracy to structure the exportation of monetary instruments to avoid reporting requirements.
Said Jarabaa, 36, of Florissant, was sentenced to 6 months work release for racketeering.
Suhail Jarabaa, 29, of Florissant, was sentenced to 3 years probation for conspiracy to structure the exportation of monetary instruments to avoid reporting requirements.
Mohammed Badwan, 35, of Florissant, was sentenced to 6 months of house arrest, 3 years probation and a $5,000 fine for racketeering.
Mazen Badwan, 37, of Florissant, was sentenced to time served for racketeering.
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