FRANKNOTE

With credit cards supplied by an unnamed recruiter, they bought gift cards in $400 increments — just below the $500 limit that requires a manager's approval. At one store, they hauled out 60 $400 gift cards.

Back in Miami, they went on extravagant shopping sprees. In one, Escobar purchased $112,000 in goods with gift cards. Authorities estimate the group acquired $1 million in goods.