USDA targets 170 NYC retailers in SNAP fraud crackdown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) has launched ‘Operation SNAP Back,’ a major crackdown on fraudulent SNAP retailers across New York City’s five boroughs. Following hundreds of undercover investigations, enforcement actions were taken against 170 retailers, including bodegas, convenience stores, and grocery stores.

The investigation targeted SNAP trafficking—the illegal exchange of benefits for cash—and the use of benefits to purchase ineligible items such as alcohol and non-food products. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins stated that the actions are part of an effort to safeguard taxpayer dollars within the nearly $100 billion annual program.

Penalties for the identified violations include monetary fines and temporary or permanent disqualification from the program. Additionally, several cases have been referred to the USDA Office of Inspector General for criminal investigation and potential prosecution.