⏱ 2 min read
Mohammed Hamed, a 34-year-old from Harvey, Louisiana, has been indicted for wire fraud related to a large-scale vape distribution scheme. From January 2022 to December 2023, Hamed purchased electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) from SAFA Goods LLC in Florida and had them shipped to Louisiana. However, when SAFA’s license was revoked, Hamed began using middlemen’s addresses to receive shipments and wired approximately $1,606,117 to SAFA Goods between April 2024 and December 2024.
Hamed’s scheme involved selling vapes to numerous retail stores in and out of the Eastern District of Louisiana without being legally licensed to do so. He collected checks from these retailers and deposited them into a bank account, which he then used to wire large sums of money to wholesalers like SAFA Goods and AGX2 LLC. This operation was designed to evade the state’s tobacco licensing requirements, resulting in an estimated loss of $880,000 to the state.
The investigation, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), discovered that Hamed’s information was often embedded in the ordering information for another wholesaler outside of Louisiana. This complex scheme allowed Hamed to continue distributing vapes without detection, but ultimately led to his arrest on June 10, 2026, and subsequent indictment.
Hamed faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of wire fraud. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to crack down on illicit tobacco distribution schemes and protect public health.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Louisiana
- Location: LA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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