Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced a state grand jury indicted Bejar Sadiq Abdulaziz and Gretel De La Fuente Gamez with charges of fraudulent schemes and artifices, money laundering, illegal control of an enterprise, theft, assisting a criminal syndicate, sale or transportation of dangerous drugs, sale or transportation of narcotic drugs, and unlawful use of food stamps.

According to a release, Mr. Abdulaziz and Ms. De La Fuente Gamez are accused of selling illegal drugs in exchange for food stamps — or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits — or conducting these drug sales in exchange for cash since 2017. The drug transactions are alleged to have occurred at the Azad Market, 51st Avenue and Bethany Home in Glendale, a convenience store owned and run by Mr. Abdulaziz and Ms. De La Fuente Gamez. The alleged transactions include cocaine, spice, methamphetamine, and THC vape cartridges.

The charges are based on an investigation conducted by detectives with Drug Enforcement Bureau of the Phoenix Police Department, along with special agents with United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General.

Mr. Abdulaziz was arrested June 10, 2019.

The USDA/OIG has the responsibility of protecting the integrity of SNAP. Retailers who engage in SNAP fraud exploit the program’s beneficiaries, and misuse the substantial funding that taxpayers provide. USDA/OIG works to ensure SNAP funds are used for their intended purpose which is to feed families.