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Five Imprisoned For Roles In Florida Cargo Theft Ring

MIAMI (AP) — Five people have been sent to federal prison for their roles in a South Florida-based cargo theft ring that targeted cold medicine and baby formula.

The group admitted stealing 131,000 cases of Mucinex from a tractor-trailer in Mississippi worth about $2.2 million. They also stole $550,000 worth of Similac baby formula. All of the stolen items were brought to South Florida and offered for sale to brokers and retailers.

U.S. District Judge Joan Lenard last week imposed sentences ranging from five years to a little over two years on the five defendants. A sixth man involved in the ring is awaiting trial in Indiana.

The case was prosecuted under the 2012 Safe Doses Act, created by Congress to prevent theft or alteration of pre-retail medical products.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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