Michelle Mack, 53, allegedly operated the enterprise from her luxurious $2.75 million mansion in the San Diego foothills.

According to authorities, Mack employed a team of up to 12 women who would steal beauty products from popular retailers like Ulta, T.J. Maxx, and Walgreens. These stolen goods were then stockpiled and resold on Mack's Amazon storefront at significantly lower prices, allowing her to make substantial profits.

Dubbed the "California Girls," Mack's alleged crime ring operated not only along the California coast but also in 10 other states, including Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, and Ohio. It carried out hundreds of thefts, leaving retailers scrambling to combat the billions of dollars lost to theft annually.

Law enforcement authorities took action in December, raiding Mack's sprawling Spanish-style estate. During the raid, they uncovered a plethora of stolen items worth over $387,000, including beauty products, sunglasses, and designer bags. Investigators also found hundreds of pre-packaged envelopes containing stolen items, ready to be shipped out to customers.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed 140 felony charges against Mack, her husband Kenneth Mack, and seven other alleged members of the crime ring. The charges include conspiracy to commit organized retail theft, grand theft, and receipt of stolen property. Bonta described the operation as a "multimillion-dollar criminal scheme" that was intricately planned.

Court records have revealed incriminating text messages exchanged between Mack, her husband, and some of the other women involved in the operation. These messages displayed a detailed knowledge of the stolen goods and focused discussions on fulfilling orders and acquiring new products.

The impact of this case goes beyond the individuals involved. Retailers, including Sephora, Ulta, Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Prada, Bath & Body Works, Victoria's Secret, Luxottica's Sunglass Hut, and LensCrafters, have been dealing with the substantial losses caused by organized theft rings. Authorities believe Mack's arrest will serve as a strong deterrent and send a message that the sale of stolen goods carries severe consequences.

CNBC reports that an Amazon spokesperson stated the company has a "zero tolerance" policy for retailers selling stolen goods. Amazon cooperated with the investigation into Mack's alleged crime ring and expressed satisfaction with the suspects' arrest.

As the case progresses, authorities hope to unravel the full extent of the operation, hold all individuals involved accountable, and establish more robust measures to combat organized theft in the retail industry. Only time will tell the ultimate outcome of this high-profile case, but for now, the true scale of the alleged multimillion-dollar beauty theft ring has been brought to light.