Feds Recover $1.14 Million in Stolen Cars Sent to Mexican Cartels
Thirteen individuals face charges after prosecutors say a network moved vehicles from El Paso across the border to support criminal operations.
By Marco Kapoor ·
Federal prosecutors recovered 29 vehicles valued at an estimated $1.14 million and charged 13 people with moving stolen cars into Mexico to aid cartels. The investigation, named Operation Southbound Takedown, identified a pipeline where vehicles taken from private owners and rental companies were driven through El Paso, Texas, across the border.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas stated that the vehicles supported daily criminal activities, including human smuggling, extortion, drug trafficking, and murder. Ryan G. McRae, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in El Paso, described the thefts as more than isolated property crimes. He said the pattern shows stolen vehicles are used to support the operations of dangerous criminal organizations.
Prosecutors released photos of the recovered fleet, which included a damaged white SUV, an armored black SUV, and an armored pickup truck. Agents began the probe in the spring after spotting a trend of stolen vehicles going to people linked to Mexican criminal groups. U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons warned that cartels exploit individuals seeking quick financial gains to further their operations.
Simmons told the public they are on notice regarding those who transport stolen vehicles out of the country. He stated that if people support cartels, many of which are designated as foreign terrorist organizations, federal authorities will find and prosecute them. FBI El Paso Acting Special Agent in Charge Coult W. Markovsky added that justice will find individuals assisting the cartels.
Eleven of the 13 charged are U.S. citizens, while two are Mexican citizens. One Mexican citizen holds a lawful permanent resident card, and the other holds a border crossing card. Kimberly Aguilar and Marty Gerardo Jr., two of the American defendants, are currently in state custody. The remaining 11 defendants were federally indicted and arrested between July 22 and Oct. 19.
All 13 defendants face charges for interstate transportation of stolen property. A conviction could result in up to 10 years in federal prison. The case involves Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, and other federal, state, and local agencies working through the Homeland Security Task Force. McRae said authorities worked with private-sector partners to disrupt the network across the United States and Mexico.
McRae stated the work is ongoing and authorities are not stopping there. The investigation continues to examine the scope of the vehicle theft and transportation network.
