13 indicted for smuggling stolen vehicles through El Paso to drug cartels; federal agencies announce results Oct. 26
El Paso, El Paso County, Texas — On Oct. 26, federal law enforcement announced in El Paso the results of Operation Southbound Strike: at least 13 people have been federally indicted for allegedly smuggling stolen vehicles through El Paso into Mexico for use by drug cartels. Justin Simmons, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, said at a press conference that earlier this year, law enforcement found that stolen private and rental-company vehicles were being transported from across the country to El Paso and then taken across the border into Mexico. The operation began this spring; the vehicles ended up used by cartels in illegal activity, and the cartels recruited people such as U.S. citizens who can cross the border legally to move the cars. Of those indicted, 11 are U.S. citizens and 2 are Mexican citizens, on charges including conspiracy to transport stolen property across state lines. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations, among other agencies, took part in the operation. The U.S. Attorney reminded vehicle owners to strengthen anti-theft measures, and anyone with relevant information can report it to federal law enforcement.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 德州埃尔帕索市景，CC BY-SA 4.0，来源 Wikimedia Commons
