Organized retail thieves are thriving in North Texas, and raking in as much as $7 billion a year.

The system usually consists of a team of people that includes a "booster." As designated people distract employees, authorities say boosters begin the act of stealing.

But the system is even more intricate and organized. Authorities say syndicates actually place orders for goods before the thefts and then the teams set out to steal the items from stores. The items range from razor blades to teeth whitener to television sets.

"They will go to ten to fifteen retailers a day, and so this has nothing to do with shoplifting," said Lt. Todd Dearing, Grapevine Police Department. "These are full time professional thieves. This is what their job is."

The boosters generally make about 20 percent of the value of what they steal every day. With designated getaway cars, they move from city to city.

While some of the thieves are U.S. citizens, others are brought into the country illegally just for the job.

"Then when they're caught, they're deported in many cases; and someone else will be there to take their place," said Karl Langhurst, Loss Prevention officer.

Sites like EBay can be used to sell stolen commodities for bargain prices while the buyer remains unaware that the goods are stolen.

Many retailers are now marking their products with stickers so they can trace their products if they're resold.