# Feds charge 13 in stolen car pipeline to Mexican cartels

> U.S. charges 13 in stolen vehicle scheme for Mexican cartels.
- Title: Feds charge 13 in stolen car pipeline to Mexican cartels
- Summary: U.S. charges 13 in stolen vehicle scheme for Mexican cartels. Federal authorities charged 13 people for transporting stolen vehicles to Mexican cartels…
- Keywords: federal authorities, stolen vehicles, mexican cartels, el paso, operation southbound takedown, interstate transportation of stolen prop, u.s. citizens, mexican citizens, border scheme, news, politics, Feds
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/us/mexican-cartels-stolen-vehicles-el-paso
- Author: Stepheny Price
- Published: 2026-10-27T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: federal authorities, stolen vehicles, mexican cartels, el paso, operation southbound takedown, interstate transportation of stolen prop, u.s. citizens, mexican citizens, border scheme, news, politics
## Feds charge 13 in stolen vehicle scheme
Federal authorities charged 13 people for transporting stolen vehicles to Mexican cartels.
## 13 charged: 11 U.S. citizens, 2 Mexican
Of the 13 charged, 11 are U.S. citizens and two are Mexican citizens, one with a lawful permanent resident card.
## Operation Southbound Takedown
Authorities recovered 29 vehicles worth $1.14 million in Operation Southbound Takedown.
## Stolen vehicles used for cartel operations
Stolen vehicles support cartels' daily operations including human smuggling and drug trafficking.
## U.S. Attorney warns on vehicle theft
U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons warns transporting stolen vehicles to Mexico supports cartel operations.

> 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.
## Law enforcement collaboration
Homeland Security Investigations, FBI and other agencies worked together on the investigation.
## Charges include up to 10 years in prison
All 13 face up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted of interstate transportation of stolen property.
## Key takeaway

Federal authorities charged 13 people for transporting stolen vehicles to Mexican cartels, including 11 U.S. citizens and two Mexican citizens.