[EDMO] A federal indictment accused 14 Palestinian Americans of operating a criminal enterprise in Florissant, Missouri that illegally funneled money to the Palestinian territories. The accused were part of the "Hamed Organization" led by Bassam Hamed of Florissant that used St. Louis area convenience stores as headquarters of the criminal enterpise, selling contraband or stolen cigarettes, liquor, infant formula, computers and GPS units. The gang got the money to Israel, Palestine or Jordan with couriers who secretly carried cash, jewelry, cashiers checks, and business cards. In December 2009, eight members of the criminal enterprise pleaded guilty to federal charges for selling stolen goods at convenience stores and funneling part of their profits to Palestinian territories.