13 Charged as Feds Target Stolen Car Pipeline to Mexican Cartels

Federal authorities say a cross-border stolen-car network supplied Mexican cartels with vehicles used in their criminal activities. Thirteen people have been charged in connection with the alleged operation.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, the vehicles were taken from private owners and large rental companies, then driven through El Paso, Texas, and into Mexico. Investigators say the cars and trucks were ultimately used to help cartels carry out their day-to-day operations.

The investigation, known as Operation Southbound Takedown, has led to the recovery of 29 vehicles with an estimated combined value of $1.14 million, prosecutors said.

Ryan G. McRae, the Homeland Security Investigations special agent in charge in El Paso, said the case points to a broader criminal enterprise rather than a series of unrelated vehicle thefts.

“These are not isolated property crimes,” McRae said. “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.”

Images released by prosecutors included a white SUV that was recovered damaged in Mexico, along with an armored black SUV and an armored pickup truck.

The investigation began in the spring, when federal agents and prosecutors noticed a recurring pattern involving stolen vehicles allegedly being delivered to people linked to criminal groups in Mexico, the U.S. attorney’s office said.

U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons cautioned anyone tempted to move stolen vehicles into Mexico for a “quick buck,” saying cartels are taking advantage of such individuals to strengthen their criminal operations.

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Those activities include “human smuggling, extortion, drug trafficking, and even murder,” Simmons said.

“You are now on notice,” Simmons said. “If you provide support to these cartels, many of which have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations, by transporting stolen vehicles out of this country and into Mexico, we will find you, and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”

Prosecutors said 11 of the defendants are U.S. citizens and two are Mexican citizens. One of the Mexican nationals holds a lawful permanent resident card, while the other has a border crossing card.

Two of the American defendants, Kimberly Aguilar and Marty Gerardo Jr., are being held in state custody. The remaining 11 were federally indicted and arrested between July 22 and Oct. 19, prosecutors said.

All 13 defendants face charges of interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense carrying a potential federal prison sentence of up to 10 years upon conviction. The charges remain allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and additional federal, state and local agencies took part in the investigation through the Homeland Security Task Force.

McRae said investigators also relied on private-sector partners while working to dismantle the alleged vehicle theft and smuggling network, which operated across the United States and Mexico.

“This work is ongoing; we’re not stopping here,” he said.

Coult W. Markovsky, the FBI’s acting special agent in charge in El Paso, likewise warned anyone assisting cartel operations that law enforcement would continue pursuing them.

“To individuals assisting the cartels, Justice will find you!” he said.