Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently announced various law enforcement officials from around the U.S. worked to take down a multi-million dollar catalytic converter theft ring.
According to a Nov. 2 ICE news release, the national endeavor to take down a ring of thieves, dealers and processors was done by law enforcement officials at the federal, state and local level. Homeland Security Investigations was a major part of the network takedown. The alleged thieves would steal catalytic converters to sell for tens of millions of dollars to a metal refinery.
“The success of this national takedown highlights the importance and necessity of dynamic law enforcement partnerships that we foster at DHS every single day," Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security John K. Tien said in the release. “This calculated, cooperative whole-of-government approach across multiple states illustrates our commitment to protecting the homeland from those who seek to profit from sophisticated schemes. HSI will continue to focus its efforts on keeping these types of criminal elements off our streets while dismantling the groups behind these and other thefts.”
There were arrests, searches and seizures in the states of California, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia and Wyoming, according to the release. Overall, 21 people in five states have been arrested and/or charged. They have been charged in two indictments unsealed Nov. 2 in the Eastern District of California and Northern District of Oklahoma. More than 32 search warrants were executed and millions of dollars in assets were seized. This includes cash, homes, luxury vehicles and entire bank accounts.
The release reported the catalytic converters — which are part of a vehicle’s exhaust system that reduces pollutants — use precious metals like palladium, platinum and rhodium that are targeted by thieves. These metals have increased in value and some are more valuable than gold per ounce. Catalytic converters can be sold for more than $1,000 on the black market. They also do not have a serial number or VIN information, which makes it easier for the thieves.
U.S. ICE Acting Deputy Director Patrick J. Lechleitner said this level of organized crime is “extremely costly and detrimental to victims and taxpayers,” the release reported
“We cannot overemphasize enough that these are not victimless crimes, and that the increased number of these crimes poses a very legitimate threat to the U.S. economy,” Lechleitner said in the release. “Our HSI special agents continue to work tirelessly to disrupt these criminal organizations and bring those who seek to profit from counterfeit or stolen products to justice.”
