Three men charged after police find 370 tins of infant formula suspected of being stolen in heroin plot

Three man charged over a “calculated plot” to steal $19,000 worth of baby formula and multivitamins were trying to make money for heroin, a court heard.

Three Victorian men have been arrested over a “calculated” plot to allegedly steal $19,000 in baby formula and multivitamins – and planned to make money in SA to buy heroin, a court has heard.

On Friday, Hooman Soroushmere, 44, and Vahid Moghadam, 37, both appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court for the first time before Magistrate Louise Kleinig.

Police prosecutors described the theft of more than 440 tins of baby formula and close to 2000 multivitamin tablets as a “calculated plot” and said they travelled to SA for the sole purpose of committing the alleged offences.

The court heard Mr Moghadam told police after his arrest the group were seeking to earn money to buy heroin in Victoria.

Prosecutors told the court Mr Soroushmere had prior offending history in Victoria for similar offences, and Mr Moghadam had five pending theft charges in Victoria.

Mr Soroushmere and Mr Moghadam are charged with two counts each of unlawful possession.

Yousef Hosseini, 49, who was also arrested alongside the two other men, did not appear in court as he had been taken to hospital after being found unresponsive.

Mr Hosseini is charged with two counts of possessing a controlled drug, two counts of unlawful possession and one count of dishonestly taking property without consent.

No man has entered any pleas.

The trio were arrested when police were called to an Edwardstown shopping centre on South Rd on Thursday for an unrelated matter and became aware of a man attempting to steal baby formula.

Staff confronted the man and he fled while police officers gave chase.

According to police, the man dropped a package and checks revealed the package contained methamphetamine and heroin.

Police then searched a Heathpool address linked to the man where they located more than 240 tins of infant formula and multivitamins allegedly stolen.

As police searched the property, a Mercedes van arrived with two people inside and officers found more than 130 tins of infant formula.

The court heard Mr Hosseini had allegedly attempted to steal baby formula from a Woolworths in West Lakes on Wednesday but staff had intervened.

Ms Kleinig ordered a bail inquiry report for Mr Soroushmere to reside at a Heathborough address the three men were renting, but refused bail for Mr Moghadam.

Mr Hosseini and Mr Soroushmere will return to court later this month.

Originally published as Three men charged after police find 370 tins of infant formula suspected of being stolen in heroin plot