The Los Angeles Police Department has uncovered a multimillion-dollar cargo theft operation involving a suspected South American criminal ring. Authorities announced the recovery of over $3.9 million in stolen goods and the arrest of two suspects linked to the thefts. The case, investigated over several months, highlights the increasing threat organized theft poses to the logistics and freight industry.
The suspects, identified as Oscar David Borrero-Manchola, 41, and Yonaiker Rafael Martinez-Ramos, 25, were arrested in the San Fernando Valley following a collaborative investigation between the LAPD’s Cargo Theft Unit, Los Angeles Port Police, Union Pacific Police Department, and Los Angeles World Airport Police. Both men are believed to be key members of the South American Theft Group, a well-known organization involved in sophisticated cargo thefts.
During the operation, law enforcement officials executed multiple search warrants at storage unit facilities across the San Fernando Valley. They discovered six storage units packed with high-value stolen goods, including $1.2 million worth of consumer products such as tequila, audio speakers, coffee, clothing, shoes, body wash, and pet food.
In a significant break in the case, investigators also intercepted a stolen shipment of bitcoin mining computers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The equipment, valued at $2.7 million, was recovered just as it was about to be illegally exported to Hong Kong, preventing a major financial loss.
Photos released by the LAPD show storage units stacked floor to ceiling with boxes containing the stolen merchandise, illustrating the scale and organization behind the operation. The recovered goods represent a wide array of commercial products typically targeted by cargo theft rings due to their high resale value and ease of transportation.
Borrero-Manchola was booked on a charge of receiving stolen property and later released. Martinez-Ramos, however, was taken into custody on a no-bail warrant and remains behind bars. Authorities believe more suspects may be involved and have indicated that additional arrests could follow as the investigation continues.
“This case highlights the ongoing collaborative efforts among law enforcement agencies to combat cargo theft and protect the integrity of commercial transport operations,” the LAPD stated in a news release.
Cargo theft remains a serious threat to supply chains across the U.S., especially in high-traffic transportation hubs like Los Angeles. This bust not only recovers significant stolen cargo but also sends a clear message to organized crime rings targeting freight and logistics operations. The LAPD and partner agencies continue to prioritize cargo theft prevention and prosecution as part of their broader mission to protect commercial transportation routes.
Source:
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/los-angeles-police-recover-over-3-9m-in-stolen-cargo
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