Major Ag Theft Ring Involving a Central Valley Cartel Uncovered

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — The Tulare, Merced and Fresno County sheriffs announced Tuesday a major rural crime crackdown spanning the Central Valley.

They say cartels steal farm equipment and bring it to Mexico.

Officers have recovered dozens of stolen heavy farm equipment linked to Operation Tractor Pull.

According to the authorities, there have now been six arrests, the last of which occurred on Tuesday morning.

They are still looking for five other suspects who were wanted for crimes committed last year.

“This is a large-scale theft ring that impacts our farmers, our ranchers and our agricultural community,” said Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux.

Boudreaux said some of the men had criminal histories related to drug trafficking.

He said they are now stealing the heavy equipment and bringing it across the southern border to be used in Mexico.

A total of 24 tractors, excavators and excavators were recovered, but investigators say 8 to 10 pieces of equipment are in Mexico and are not considered salvageable.

Sheriff Vern Warnke says agricultural crime affects everyone because it drives up food prices and helps criminals make profits.

“The cartels were not just dealing in people, drugs and weapons, but they have now hit our agricultural community where everyone here likes to go to the store and get something to eat,” Warnke said.

Because this is not considered a violent crime in California, prosecutors will have a hard time keeping these suspects behind bars, sheriffs say.

“We cannot put them in prison for a long period of time, which is not a sign of responsibility,” Boudreaux said.

Boudreaux added that they are working with the Border Patrol and calling on the federal government to work with the Mexican government to crack down on criminals who disrupt the way of life of citizens of both countries.

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