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.

"The locals know about this, but they just don't have the resources to combat against it because it's very sophisticated," said Gonzales, who added that the individuals behind oil theft are part of massive cross-border criminal networks, not simply "one-offs" or a small group of people.

Drilling rigs can each contain millions of dollars worth of oil, while trucks can haul hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of oil per load. Trucks have been hijacked, while expensive equipment has also been stolen from sites to be sold for copper pieces.

📍Good morning, West Texas!

Proud to kick off this year’s Law Enforcement Oil and Gas Investigative Conference.

Oil theft is a growing problem in the Permian Basin. Glad to have met with so many dedicated LEOs who are working around the clock to prevent this type of crime.

I… pic.twitter.com/PKkgXezdat

Recently, an oil company employee responsible for transporting oil was attacked and assaulted by a thief, according to Matt Coday, president and founder of the Oil & Gas Workers Association.

"The Permian Basin is our nation's most prolific oil-producing region of the country. This is where we do it. And a lot of people come out here to work. And whether we're Democrat, Republican, or Independent, most of us want the same things," Coday said in a phone call with the Washington Examiner. "We want good jobs where we can support our own families. We want good schools for our kids. We want safe communities. Not one of us wants to go to work and wonder if we're going to come home."

Oil thieves have recently expanded to stealing gasoline, according to Gonzales, who recalled a conversation with a gas station owner in West Texas.

"They have these vans that they cut the bottom out of, and they drive over the the cap of where the tanks are off to the side," said Gonzales. "They'll cut the lock, and they'll siphon out hundreds of gallons of gas from the gas station."

FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before House lawmakers in April that oil theft in Texas was a growing concern that the FBI was tracking given its impact on a "form of critical infrastructure."

Last week, I met with Winkler County Sheriff Darin Mitchell and Kermit Chief of Police Jaime Ramos to discuss the rise in oil theft in West Texas.

I brought this issue to the attention of @FBI Director Wray during today’s @HouseAppropsGOP hearing. pic.twitter.com/Z34tRcSusE

The forthcoming bill takes a three-pronged approach, starting with raising the penalties for anyone who steals oil or equipment.

Gonzales's bill will also permanently fund the regional oil theft task force that brings together local, tribal, state, and federal police to investigate — a task force that can only do so much without federal dollars to fund as much work needs to be done. The bill would open up federal funding to boost local police funding.

"When you have these collaborations — local, state, and federal — that's where you get the job done, where everybody's kind of on the same page," said Gonzales. "They're sharing intelligence, they're sharing resources, and then when they go take someone down, it's actually moving the needle."

Oil is a commodity so each gallon is supposed to be tracked by producers and buyers. Tracking stolen oil and being able to prosecute those involved is one of the future steps that Gonzales and Coday would like to see law enforcement able to pursue.

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"It's not just people being attacked. It's not just a threat to our economy. It's an absolute threat to national security," said Coday. "I really appreciate congressman Gonzales taking this on because not a lot of people are paying attention to it, and he's been leading the fight on this for months."

Coday has endorsed Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and spoke in support of the former president at the Butler, Pennsylvania, campaign rally on July 13 shortly before the assassination attempt.