US Indicts 13 in Cross-Border Vehicle Theft Ring Supplying Mexican Cartels

Thirteen individuals have been indicted by the US Department of Justice for operating a criminal network that stole high-value vehicles in Texas to supply Mexican cartels. The operation, dubbed Southbound Takedown, targeted a sophisticated ring based in El Paso that facilitated the transfer of stolen assets across the border.

The Operation

Federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the West Texas Homeland Security Task Force dismantled the cell after detecting a pattern of thefts beginning in spring 2026. The group systematically stole pickup trucks and luxury SUVs from private owners and rental companies. These vehicles were then driven to international ports of entry in El Paso and crossed into Ciudad Juárez. Authorities recovered 29 vehicles valued at approximately $1.1 million, including some with urban combat modifications.

The Accused

The indictment names nine US citizens and two Mexican nationals among the primary defendants. Key figures include Kimberly Aguilar, arrested on March 25, and Marty Gerardo Jr., detained on July 22. The remaining eleven members were charged between late July and October 19, 2026. Sources indicate the group utilized individuals with legitimate documentation to bypass border controls, avoiding detection during transit.

Corruption Allegations

A critical aspect of the case involves allegations of transnational corruption. Federal prosecutors allege the ring operated in collusion with officials in Mexico to receive, replate, and legalize the stolen units within the Mexican vehicle registry. This collaboration allowed the cartel-linked vehicles to evade standard authority filters.

If convicted of transporting internationally stolen property, the defendants face up to 10 years in federal prison. Officials emphasized that these crimes are not isolated property offenses but essential logistical support for dangerous criminal organizations operating on both sides of the border.