This photo was taken two years ago when a similar situation occurred with the thefts of babyformula. These suspects are being sought by local law enforcement officials in a baby food smuggling ring. Stores Report Baby Food Thefts By Fawn Roark The West Jefferson Police Department is asking local stores that sell baby food formula to be on the watch for thefts of the product. Detective Bill Craig of the WJPD said that baby food formula was stolen from two local stores at a value of $2,500 - $3,000 last week. The formula was taken from Wal-Mart and Lowes Foods in West Jefferson. The suspects carried a baby carrier in the store as though a baby was covered up. The suspects then allegedly took all of the baby food formula cans valued at around $20 each and carried them out of the store in the baby carrier. Police are currently searching for a Nissan Maxima, either green or gold in color, with a left front black fender. Wal-Mart and Ingles of Boone also had a lot of formula stolen last week with an estimated value of between $3,000 and $4,000, according to Craig. The West Jefferson Police Department learned in 2004 that a woman they arrested in November, 2003, was allegedly linked to a baby food formula smuggling ring that is believed to be part of an organization that has funneled money to a terrorist group. Craig said that an article in the Winston Salem Journal explained that different groups were stealing the formula and taking it to a Middle Eastern man in Raleigh. The man then repackaged the formula and sold it to various buyers. The article explained how the baby formula thefts over a seven year period resulted in about $11 million to be funneled to a terrorist group, Craig said. Incidents of theft of baby food formula have happened in the area numerous times over the past several years. Immigration officials have been contacted regarding these suspects that have been arrested in Mocksville. Law enforcement officers are on the look out for these suspects and ask that anyone with information about their whereabouts to call the West Jefferson Police Department at 336-246-9410 or Crimestoppers at 336-246-4188. Stores noticing suspicious activity are encouraged to call and report this as well.