Texas oil thefts linked to illegal immigration spark federal response
A border congressman is preparing legislation to crack down on criminal rings responsible for large-scale oil and gasoline theft across the Permian Basin in West Texas.
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) plans to introduce a bill in the next few days that is one step in a long-term effort to go after the organized crime networks carrying out costly, wide-scale attacks on large and small oil companies in a region that is the country’s largest oil producer.
In May, the Washington Examiner was the first to report that the rise in oil theft in the Permian Basin was connected to organized crime groups recruiting illegal immigrants to help steal oil from Texas companies.
Gonzales said in a phone call this week that he has spent the past few months learning more about what oil theft entails, who is behind it, and why it is difficult to track stolen goods and prosecute those involved — all issues that the legislation aims to tackle.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/texas-oil-thefts-linked-to-illegal-immigration-spark-federal-response/ar-AA1qTnNl?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=8140e6eeabec420bc20766a63b650561&ei=10
