US News

Federal authorities charge 13 over alleged stolen car pipeline to cartels

Fox News reports that federal authorities allege 13 people funneled stolen vehicles through El Paso to Mexican cartels, with 29 vehicles recovered.

Updated Oct 27, 2026 · 10:24 UTC1 reports

The short version

Federal authorities say 13 people face charges in an alleged scheme supplying stolen vehicles to Mexican cartels.[Fox News]
Prosecutors say the vehicles were stolen from private owners and rental companies and driven through El Paso, Texas, into Mexico.[Fox News]
Authorities have recovered 29 vehicles valued at an estimated $1.14 million in the Operation Southbound Takedown investigation.[Fox News]
All 13 face federal charges of interstate transportation of stolen property, carrying up to 10 years if convicted.[Fox News]

Federal authorities say 13 people face charges in a cross-border pipeline scheme allegedly supplying stolen vehicles to Mexican cartels.[Fox News]
Of the 13 people charged, 11 are U.S. citizens and two are Mexican citizens, according to prosecutors.[Fox News]
Authorities have recovered 29 vehicles worth an estimated $1.14 million in the investigation named Operation Southbound Takedown.[Fox News]
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas, the vehicles were stolen from private owners and major rental companies and driven through El Paso, Texas, into Mexico.[Fox News]
Eleven of the charged individuals were federally indicted and arrested between July 22 and Oct. 19, according to prosecutors.[Fox News]
All 13 people are charged with interstate transportation of stolen property and face up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted.[Fox News]

The charges are allegations, and the reporting does not indicate that any defendant has been convicted.[Fox News]
The $1.14 million value of the recovered vehicles is an estimate provided by prosecutors.[Fox News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.