Feds Arrest 13 in Texas Cartel Vehicle Theft Ring
U.S. authorities arrest 13 suspects in Texas for stealing and smuggling vehicles to support drug cartels.
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U.S. federal authorities have arrested 13 individuals in West Texas, including two Mexican nationals, in a major operation targeting a vehicle theft ring that supplied drug cartels with armored vehicles. The arrests, part of Operation Southbound Takedown, were announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.
The suspects were accused of stealing large SUVs from private owners and rental companies, then driving them south into Mexico. These vehicles were subsequently armored and used by criminal organizations, including terrorist drug cartels. During the investigation, authorities recovered at least 29 stolen vehicles.
Special Agent in Charge Ryan G. McRae of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) emphasized that these thefts were not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern supporting dangerous criminal operations. ‘The stolen vehicles related to Operation Southbound Takedown demonstrate an alarming pattern and are used to support the day-to-day operations of dangerous criminal organizations,’ McRae stated in a prepared statement.
Since March, authorities have arrested 11 U.S. citizens and two Mexican nationals, who had either legal residency or border crossing permits. All arrested individuals have been federally indicted and await trial. U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons warned that anyone attempting to transport stolen vehicles into Mexico would face severe legal consequences. ‘These organizations that solicit your assistance are using your desire for a quick buck to expand their criminal operations,’ Simmons said. ‘If you provide support to these cartels, we will find you, and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.’
The operation involved multiple agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, CBP, Texas DPS, and El Paso Police. The coordinated effort highlights the growing threat of transnational criminal networks and the U.S. government’s commitment to disrupting their operations.
Source: Breitbart
