US Charges 13 in Stolen Vehicle Scheme Supplying Mexican Cartels
US Charges 13 in Stolen Vehicle Pipeline to Mexican Cartels
US authorities charged 13 people in a cross-border stolen vehicle pipeline that supplied Mexican cartels with cars and trucks used in criminal operations including drug trafficking and human smuggling. Authorities recovered 29 stolen vehicles worth an estimated $1.14 million as part of Operation Southbound Takedown. The vehicles were stolen from private owners and rental car companies, driven through El Paso, Texas, and across the border into Mexico. Of the 13 charged, 11 are US citizens and two are Mexican citizens; all face charges of interstate transportation of stolen property with up to 10 years in prison if convicted. [2]
Investigation Spans US and Mexico, Involves Multiple Agencies
Federal agents and prosecutors began investigating in the spring after identifying a pattern of stolen vehicles being transported to individuals allegedly connected to criminal organizations in Mexico. The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and other federal, state and local agencies working through the Homeland Security Task Force. Ryan G. McRae, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in El Paso, said the stolen vehicles reveal a pattern of criminal activity extending beyond auto theft. "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." U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons warned people considering transporting stolen vehicles into Mexico that cartels are exploiting individuals looking to make a "quick buck" to further their criminal operations. Those operations, he said, include "human smuggling, extortion, drug trafficking, and even murder." "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." FBI El Paso acting Special Agent in Charge Coult W. Markovsky also had a warning for people helping cartels. "To individuals assisting the cartels, Justice will find you!" he said. McRae said authorities worked with private-sector partners to disrupt the alleged vehicle theft and transportation network as part of an investigation spanning the United States and Mexico. "This work is ongoing; we’re not stopping here," he said. [2]
Indonesian Police Seize 35 kg of Methamphetamine from Malaysian Network
Riau police in Indonesia seized 35 kg of methamphetamine from a Malaysian-linked network, arresting five suspects across Riau and West Sumatra. The Riau Regional Police's Narcotics and Illegal Drugs Directorate seized 35 kilograms of methamphetamine linked to an international drug network operating from Malaysia, arresting five suspects in a series of raids in Riau and West Sumatra provinces. "The discovery was made during Operation Sarang Narkoba after the team received information about a planned large-scale methamphetamine smuggling operation through the waters off Bantan, Bengkalis," Director of the Riau Regional Police's Narcotics Investigation Directorate Senior Commissioner Putu Yudha Prawira said on Tuesday. Officers initially arrested two suspects, identified by the initials MZH and WA, on Wednesday (October 21). A search of the suspects' vehicles uncovered 35 large packages of methamphetamine weighing a total of 35 kilograms, along with other evidence. Officers arrested a suspect identified as S in Kampar District and later apprehended another suspect, identified as JA, in Pekanbaru City on the same day. The investigation continued in West Sumatra Province on Friday (October 23), when officers arrested a suspect identified as S in Payakumbuh. In addition to the 35 kilograms of methamphetamine and another 7.4 grams of the drug, police seized four mobile phones, one motorcycle, two cars, and one tablet computer. "We are still investigating the person who collected the narcotics for delivery to Malaysia, and we have placed him on the wanted list," Prawira said. [1]
Riau Identified as Transit Point for Drugs Smuggled from Malaysia
Riau Regional Police Chief Inspector General Arman Achdiat warned that transnational drug syndicates were using Riau as a transit point for narcotics smuggled from Malaysia and distributed to other areas. He said narcotics smuggled through Riau's eastern coastal areas, including Dumai, Rupat Island, and Bengkalis, were intended for distribution to several regions, including Riau, Medan, and South Sumatra. The suspect arrested in Payakumbuh was allegedly responsible for controlling the distribution of the drugs from the coastal area to land-based couriers. "Investigators found that the suspect admitted to being controlled by a handler in Malaysia," Prawira said. Alongside law enforcement operations, the police are also preparing measures to mitigate and prevent drug abuse. These include establishing a special task force targeting school environments to protect young people from the threat of narcotics abuse. [1]
Gunmen Kill Islamic Cleric and Friend in Katsina State, Nigeria
Gunmen on a motorcycle killed an Islamic cleric and his friend outside the cleric's residence in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria. Gunmen have killed an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yahaya Masussuka, and his friend, Adamu Abubakar, in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State. The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued late Monday by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq. According to the police, the attack occurred at about 7.30pm on Monday, October 26, 2026, in front of the cleric’s residence, when two armed men on a motorcycle opened fire on the victims. “The victims were immediately rushed to the nearest hospital for medical attention, where they were unfortunately pronounced dead by the attending medical doctor,” the statement said. The police said the Divisional Police Officer in Dutsin-Ma led a team of operatives to the scene after receiving a report of the attack. The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, has ordered the deployment of tactical and operational teams to the area, while an investigation has commenced to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects. The command said the commissioner extended his condolences to the families, friends and followers of the deceased, as well as residents of Dutsin-Ma. It added that the police would continue efforts to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice, assuring the public that further developments would be communicated. [3]
Broader Pattern of Transnational Crime Highlighted Across Incidents
The stolen vehicles were allegedly used to support the cartels’ daily operations, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas. Photos released by prosecutors showed a damaged white SUV recovered in Mexico, as well as an armored black SUV and an armored pickup truck. Two of the Americans, Kimberly Aguilar and Marty Gerardo Jr., are in state custody. The other 11 people were federally indicted and arrested between July 22 and Oct. 19, according to prosecutors. The charges are allegations, and each person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Riau Regional Police Chief Inspector General Arman Achdiat warned that transnational drug syndicates were using Riau as a transit point. The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued late Monday. The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, has ordered the deployment of tactical and operational teams to the area. [1] [2] [3]
What to watch next: Authorities said the investigation into the stolen vehicle network is ongoing and not stopping, while Riau police continue to investigate the person who collected the narcotics for delivery to Malaysia and have placed him on the wanted list; the Katsina police investigation has commenced to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
