The owner and cashier at a Alexandria convenience store was arrested, accused of being involved in a long-running scheme buying SNAP benefits (foods stamps) from local individuals.

25-year-old Mohammad Abudayeh of Alexandria was arrested for unauthorized use of supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits, computer fraud, money laundering, racketeering, and bank fraud.

In June 2018, the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud Unit began an investigation pertaining to a local business and business owner  of the Food Mart on 3rd Street in Alexandria who was buying SNAP benefits (foods stamps) from local individuals.

During the investigation, Abudayeh was identified.

Police said from October 2017 to March 2019, Abudeyeh conducted over $1.2 million in Louisiana Purchase EBT (electronic benefit transfer) transactions, which was well above the amount a store that size should be conducting.

As a result of the investigation and information obtained, a search warrant was issued for Abudayeh’s business location and residence.

Approximately $340,000.00 in U.S. currency was located at his residence, police said.

11 cases of alcohol was discovered to be stolen from a local grocery store, police said.

 Following the search warrants, Abudayeh, who was already being held at the Rapides Parish Jail on an unrelated charge, and was charged with these additional offenses.