Alleged Carlingford baby formula syndicate family appears at Parramatta Local Court
The family who ran a Carlingford newsagency appeared in court after allegedly being behind a $1 million baby formula syndicate.
Northern District Times
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern District Times. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Some members of the Carlingford family accused of orchestrating a $1 million baby formula syndicate may face sentencing while others’ cases may not proceed.
Lie Ke, 49, her husband Wueqi, 54, and their two children Xiaoyu, 30, and Jian Feng Ke, 32, allegedly orchestrated the theft and export of more than $1 million worth of stolen baby formula, manuka honey and vitamins overseas.
The family appeared at Parramatta Local Court today when magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis ordered them to reappear on October 31.
The family’s lawyer Fouad Awada said sentencing might proceed for the parents but not for Jian Feng and Xiaoyu.
Last August, two Carlingford properties were raided and 4000 tins of baby formula and large quantities of stolen vitamin and manuka honey was seized.
More than $215,000, which police say was the proceeds of crime, was also taken.
The family, who used to run a newsagency at Carlingford Court shopping centre, was charged with the co-ordinated theft of the stolen products.
The tins seized sell for $30 in Australia but in China they sell for more than $80.
Manuka honey is sold for 30 per cent more in China than the $120-$150 a kilogram price tag in Australia.