Thirteen people face federal charges in El Paso for allegedly transporting stolen vehicles from the United States into Mexico, where the vehicles were allegedly used by Mexican cartels, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas. U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons announced the charges on Oct. 26, 2026.
The investigation, called Operation Southbound Takedown, began in spring 2026. Prosecutors allege that vehicles were taken from private owners and major rental car companies across the southwestern United States, driven to El Paso and delivered into Mexico. Authorities said 29 vehicles worth about $1.137 million have been recovered.
Each defendant is charged with interstate transportation of stolen property and faces up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted, the office said. Nine of the 11 defendants arrested between July 22 and Oct. 19 are U.S. citizens, and two are Mexican citizens. The case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative. An indictment is an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.