Posted on 10/12/2026 10:40:08 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Mexican drug cartels are increasingly stealing vehicles from U.S. rental agencies, transporting thousands across the border annually to supply cartel leaders with luxury cars and provide transportation for drug smuggling and armed operations. Popular targets include Cadillac Escalades, BMW SUVs, Ford Raptors, Jeep Wranglers and heavy-duty pickup trucks. Some trucks are modified with ballistic armor, gun mounts and firing ports.
California is a major target, alongside Texas and Arizona. Cartel operatives use several methods, including recruiting Americans through social media to rent vehicles, exploiting rental-company procedures, and using stolen identities at rental kiosks. The vehicles are then driven into Mexico, sometimes within days of being rented.
The operation is attractive because renting a vehicle costs only a few hundred dollars, far less than purchasing one. In 2024, Colorado authorities indicted 17 people associated with the Sinaloa Cartel over the alleged theft of 190 Ford F-150s and luxury SUVs worth nearly $10 million. Court documents said the vehicles were transported to Mexico and exchanged for cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Recovering the vehicles is difficult. California restricts rental companies' access to GPS tracking until after a vehicle is overdue and the renter has been contacted. Elsewhere, reporting requirements can delay police notification for days. Some stolen vehicles never enter U.S. theft databases, while large rental agencies sometimes consider unrecovered vehicles a cost of doing business.
Once in Mexico, stolen vehicles may receive legitimate Mexican license plates through corrupt officials, making detection even harder. Although Mexican authorities occasionally recover vehicles, many effectively disappear into cartel territory.
The article concludes that cartel infighting and territorial expansion are increasing demand for vehicles. These stolen fleets help criminal organizations transport drugs, evade authorities, fight rivals and sustain their operations.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
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The operation is attractive because renting a vehicle costs only a few hundred dollars, far less than purchasing one.
Yes. Far less. Great observation, Steve.
Yes. Far less. Great observation, Steve.
This is the first and last time I post a 300 word summary instead of an excerpt. I thought it was a good idea, but I didn't realize people would think things were quotes that weren't.
Here is the relevant part of the article:
“For the cartel, it is the cheapest way for them to do business,” said Kevin Carter, owner of Collateral Consultants, a rental car recovery company in Texas. “There’s no sense in them buying a car when they could rent one for a few hundred bucks, and it’s theirs forever.”
Colorado airport was targeted for 2 years with Cartel car theft until they finally started to crack down.
Wish they would decide to steal one of a certain make & model (of which shall remain nameless) that is currently experiencing LOTS of problems & then try to get it warranteed. That would put a crimp in their action.
“””””transporting thousands across the border annually”””””
At this time in America how could these get through our border technology and policing in such numbers.
Yes. None, whatsoever. An equally great observation. 👍 Thanks for FReepsplaining that to us.
Only draw back is when you gear that strange sound in the sky getting louder.
Name ends with a Z? No rental
Car rental companies don’t care because insurance will pay for the stolen car. Ever wonder why your insurance premiums are high? Consumer always pays at the end.
“At this time in America how could these get through our border technology and policing in such numbers.”
They bought the insurance.
wy69
They might have gotten the idea from an Ironside episode. One of my favorites.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0612360/?ref_=tt_epspo_ep_12
Simple solution, put trackers into all luxury cars at rental places. When stolen, put the locations into missile targeting.
“none of us thought of that”
That’s the first I’ve heard that stealing something is cheaper than buying it. You learn something new from AI every day.
“rental agencies sometimes consider unrecovered vehicles a cost of doing business.”
Whew...for a second, I thought the rental companies might try to recover their losses from higher prices on paying customers.
Possibly the result of the AI used to produce the summary?
I won’t rent a car without buying their insurance. Hear horror stories about people bringing back the car, company doing an AI scan and charging you. Get their insurance and let them charge away.
Do you understand the meaning of the word "summary?"
Yep! It’s just that AI sometimes adds in stuff or puts it in a way that a human wouldn’t. No offense intended.
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