13 arrested in Wichita food stamp fraud

(WICHITA, Kan.) — Thirteen people have been indicted in a federal crackdown in Wichita on the sale of food benefits for cash.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom announced two separate indictments Tuesday involving more than $580,000 in food stamp benefits unlawfully redeemed at two small grocery stores.

The indictments charge the store owners and others with food stamp fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the Agriculture Department.

Wally Mikael Gaggo was charged in both indictments as the runner who obtained the food benefit cards from recipients.

One indictment charges Muhammad Qadeer Akram and his wife, Shama Qadeer, as the owners of Alnoor Groceries and Biryani House on East 21st.

Charged in a separate indictment is the owner of Kansas Food Market on North Arkansas, Ahmed Ajami Al-Maleki.