Seattle police say employees at a downtown cigar shop recruited homeless people and drug addicts as part of an alleged theft ring, to "boost" or shoplift video games, cell phones, and other electronics, which then resold through the store.

According to a search warrant affidavit, an informant contacted police in March and told detectives that employees at International Cigar and Tobacco on 3rd and Pike were  supplied recruits—referred to as "boosters" in police documents—with "shoplifting lists" for cellphones, computer software, and other electronic equipment, which the tobacco shop employees were interested in buying.

Over a three month period, records say a police informant repeatedly sold batteries, video games, and computer software—which police had been purchased at retail stores as part of the operation—to employees at International Cigar. Employees allegedly paid $15 for a copy of Windows Vista, which retails for about $150, and paid $6 for several Xbox games, which typically sell for $60.

Undercover officers also visited the business—including the detective who infiltrated and shut down several underground card rooms in Belltown and on Capitol Hill last year—and found that employees were selling used iPods and cell phones from behind the counter. Police records note that the business is not licensed to sell used goods.

After three months of surveillance and "controlled sales," the police informant walked in to the cigar shop on May 5th and sold two brand new Nextel phones. Minutes later, police burst through the door of the business and seized phones, mp3 players, Xbox games, computers, ledgers, a Taser, and two pairs of brass knuckles.

It does not appear anyone was arrested during the raid, and King County Prosecutor's office spokesman Dan Donohoe says the case has not yet been referred to prosecutors.