Dangerous Mexican cartel's criminal network exposed in Houston car theft ring takedown
by:
Eddie Killian
Law Enforcement Today
Apr 10, 2024
HOUSTON, TX - In a significant blow to organized crime, officials have
dismantled a million-dollar car theft ring allegedly run by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación in Spanish, or CJNG), one of Mexico's most dangerous drug syndicates.
The operation led to the arrest of three key figures: Edgar Bravo, Jesus Gutierrez-Escamilla, and Bernando Fernandez-Pereyda, all Mexican nationals with ties to CJNG.
Gutierrez-Escamilla's case is particularly alarming, as he reportedly entered the US illegally over a decade ago and has since amassed a lengthy criminal record.
Despite multiple encounters with law enforcement, including a 2012 conviction for trespassing, he had not been deported due to “enforcement priorities."
His criminal history also includes a 2016 arrest for a traffic violation, highlighting the gaps in the immigration enforcement system.
Fernandez-Pereyda's involvement adds another layer to the complex criminal network.
Intercepted by Border Patrol in March 2023, the resolution of his case remains unclear, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) documents obtained by The Post.
During a meticulously planned raid conducted by the Harris County Sheriff’s office in Houston, authorities seized 14 stolen vehicles with fraudulent titles from three separate chop shops.
“It was pretty much a smooth round-up. We did have one person that fled. We were able to get him in custody. But it was a pretty smooth execution. We did use our SWAT team and they’re pretty good at what they do and was able to secure everyone,” said Saul Suarez, spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
Ray Donovan, retired DEA chief of operations, provided valuable insights into the broader criminal activities of cartels like CJNG.
He highlighted that Houston serves as a significant hub for the cartels, acting as a massive point of transshipment and brokering place for various illicit activities.
“It’s just a massive point of transshipment, it’s also like a brokering place. So dope goes into Houston, it’ll go to Atlanta, it’ll go to Chicago,” Donovan said.
Recent data from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) underscores the extent of CJNG's operations in the US.
According to the DEA's 2023 National Drug Threat Assessment, CJNG remains one of the most prolific and dangerous drug trafficking organizations, responsible for smuggling large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine into the country.
Earlier in the week, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced the arrest of 23 individuals associated with CJNG in a large-scale drug-smuggling operation centered in Houston. This operation, codenamed "Operation Clean Sweep," targeted key members of the cartel's distribution network, disrupting their operations and seizing substantial quantities of illicit drugs.
In addition to drug trafficking and car theft, Donovan speculated that the cartel's diversified criminal portfolio likely includes human trafficking, extortion, and money laundering. These activities generate significant profits, further fueling the cartel's operations and enabling them to expand their criminal enterprise.
The recent arrests and raids are part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels to dismantle the criminal infrastructure of CJNG and its affiliates in the United States.
However, the challenges remain formidable, as the cartel continues to adapt its tactics and expand its influence, posing a persistent threat to public safety and national security.
As authorities continue to pursue additional suspects, including the leader of the drug-trafficking ring and several fugitives still at large, the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies will be crucial in disrupting and ultimately dismantling the criminal operations of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and its associates in the United States.
The operation led to the arrest of three key figures: Edgar Bravo, Jesus Gutierrez-Escamilla, and Bernando Fernandez-Pereyda, all Mexican nationals with ties to CJNG.
Gutierrez-Escamilla's case is particularly alarming, as he reportedly entered the US illegally over a decade ago and has since amassed a lengthy criminal record.
Despite multiple encounters with law enforcement, including a 2012 conviction for trespassing, he had not been deported due to “enforcement priorities."
His criminal history also includes a 2016 arrest for a traffic violation, highlighting the gaps in the immigration enforcement system.
Fernandez-Pereyda's involvement adds another layer to the complex criminal network.
Intercepted by Border Patrol in March 2023, the resolution of his case remains unclear, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) documents obtained by The Post.
During a meticulously planned raid conducted by the Harris County Sheriff’s office in Houston, authorities seized 14 stolen vehicles with fraudulent titles from three separate chop shops.
“It was pretty much a smooth round-up. We did have one person that fled. We were able to get him in custody. But it was a pretty smooth execution. We did use our SWAT team and they’re pretty good at what they do and was able to secure everyone,” said Saul Suarez, spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
Ray Donovan, retired DEA chief of operations, provided valuable insights into the broader criminal activities of cartels like CJNG.
He highlighted that Houston serves as a significant hub for the cartels, acting as a massive point of transshipment and brokering place for various illicit activities.
“It’s just a massive point of transshipment, it’s also like a brokering place. So dope goes into Houston, it’ll go to Atlanta, it’ll go to Chicago,” Donovan said.
Recent data from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) underscores the extent of CJNG's operations in the US.
According to the DEA's 2023 National Drug Threat Assessment, CJNG remains one of the most prolific and dangerous drug trafficking organizations, responsible for smuggling large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine into the country.
Earlier in the week, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced the arrest of 23 individuals associated with CJNG in a large-scale drug-smuggling operation centered in Houston. This operation, codenamed "Operation Clean Sweep," targeted key members of the cartel's distribution network, disrupting their operations and seizing substantial quantities of illicit drugs.
In addition to drug trafficking and car theft, Donovan speculated that the cartel's diversified criminal portfolio likely includes human trafficking, extortion, and money laundering. These activities generate significant profits, further fueling the cartel's operations and enabling them to expand their criminal enterprise.
The recent arrests and raids are part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels to dismantle the criminal infrastructure of CJNG and its affiliates in the United States.
However, the challenges remain formidable, as the cartel continues to adapt its tactics and expand its influence, posing a persistent threat to public safety and national security.
As authorities continue to pursue additional suspects, including the leader of the drug-trafficking ring and several fugitives still at large, the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies will be crucial in disrupting and ultimately dismantling the criminal operations of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and its associates in the United States.
1 comment:
When I attended the Auto Crimes training at DPS, I learned that most criminal organizations couldn't operate without chop shops furnishing stolen cars. It's big business. (USA)
Post a Comment