Thread: Mexican Cartels Smuggling Oil into U.S.

Mexican Cartels Smuggling Oil into U.S.

Monday, August 10, 2009 1:40 PM

MEXICO CITY -- U.S. Justice Department officials say U.S. refineries are buying stolen oil siphoned from Mexican government pipelines and smuggled across the border _ in some cases by drug cartels.

U.S. and Mexican law enforcement officials are working together to track the stolen oil, which is hauled by tanker and barge into the United States.

The U.S. government plans to hand over $2.4 million to Mexico on Tuesday following a joint investigation.

Mexican authorities in April seized $46 million from the Zetas, a group of hit men tied to the Gulf Cartel, that they say came from selling stolen oil.

Source: Associated Press

http://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/lt_dru ... 46012.html

Where does this money go?

The U.S. government plans to hand over $2.4 million to Mexico on Tuesday following a joint investigation.

WHAT! Isn't this Mexico's problem?

Why are we paying for the investigation into stolen Mexican government oil?

Dixie

Originally Posted by Dixie

The U.S. government plans to hand over $2.4 million to Mexico on Tuesday following a joint investigation.

WHAT! Isn't this Mexico's problem?

Why are we paying for the investigation into stolen Mexican government oil?

Dixie

It is maddening here in the twilight zone, is'nt it?

AP NewsBreak: Mexican cartels smuggle oil to US
By MARTHA MENDOZA (AP) – 2 hours ago

MEXICO CITY — U.S. refineries bought millions of dollars worth of oil siphoned from Mexican government pipelines and smuggled across the border — in some cases by drug cartels expanding their reach.

At least one U.S. oil executive has pleaded guilty to a conspiracy that involved what prosecutors said was about $2 million in stolen Mexican oil, U.S. Justice Department officials confirmed to The Associated Press.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Homeland Security department is scheduled to hand over $2.4 million to Mexico's tax administration, the first batch of money seized during a joint investigation into smuggled oil that authorities expect to lead to more arrests and seizures.

"The United States is working with the Mexican government on the theft of oil," said Nancy Herrera, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's office in Houston. "It's an ongoing investigation, with one indictment so far."

In that case, Donald Schroeder, president of Houston-based Trammo Petroleum, is scheduled to be sentenced in December after pleading guilty in May. Trammo's small firm profited about $150,000 in the scheme, in which various U.S. companies hauled stolen Mexican petroleum products across the border in trucks and barges, according to court records.

Schroeder's attorneys said in an e-mail that neither they nor their client would respond to AP's requests for comment.

In Mexico, federal police commissioner Rodrigo Esparza said the Zetas, a fierce drug gang aligned with the Gulf cartel, used false import documents to smuggle tanker loads of oil to unnamed U.S. refineries.

Earlier this year, the Mexican government froze 149 bank accounts after tracking more than $46 million in transfers related to the Zeta theft. The losses continue at a record rate, according to Mexico's state oil monopoly Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex.

In a surprising public acknowledgment, Mexican President Felipe Calderon said last week that drug cartels have extended their operations into the theft of oil, Mexico's leading source of foreign income which finances about 40 percent of the national budget.

"These are Mexican resources, and we do not have to sit back or turn a blind eye," Calderon said. "This is our national heritage and we must defend it."

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... AD9A06TGG3

Newsmax just didn't do a very good job of explaining that it was marked money used in the investigation.

Dixie

What about 1/2 of 110,000,000 of the Mexicans (50,000,000) that "We the People" have on our USA payrolls and giveaway programs illegally? Another heritage is cheating and stealing from Americans.

Dixie wrote:
"Newsmax just didn't do a very good job of explaining that it was marked money used in the investigation.

Dixie"

If you will check the original posted article, you will see that it is in fact an Associated Press story, as I indicated above the link.

"Source: Associated Press

http://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/lt_dru ... 46012.html "

"On Tuesday, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency will host a news conference with U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Mexican officials in San Antonio to discuss the scheme."


AUGUST 10, 2009, 8:25 P.M. ET
U.S., Mexico Probe Oil Thefts From Pemex
By SUSAN DAKER

HOUSTON -- U.S. and Mexico authorities are investigating the purchase by U.S. companies of millions of dollars worth of petroleum products stolen from Mexican national oil company Pemex.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency will host a news conference with U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Mexican officials in San Antonio to discuss the scheme. The U.S. is returning $2.4 million in funds generated from smuggling to the Mexican government, a spokeswoman for ICE said.

A Houston executive pleaded guilty in connection with investigation after admitting that he and others conspired to buy the stolen products, which were loaded onto a barge in Brownsville, Texas, said Nancy Herrera, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney in Houston. "We're working with the Mexican authorities," Ms. Herrera said.

Donald Schroeder, the president of Trammo Petroleum, is set to be sentenced in December. Mr. Schroeder, court documents say, purchased the product knowing it to be stolen. Mr. Schroeder's attorney could not be reached for comment.

Ms. Herrera declined to identify what U.S. companies bought the stolen products from Mr. Schroeder. Court filings describe the buyers as "larger companies."

The investigation is ongoing, though, Herrera declined to say if more indictments are pending.

In April, Mexican security forces arrested the group that allegedly made $46 million in the past two years smuggling stolen petroleum condensates to the U.S. The organization is linked to the Gulf drug cartel.

Last month, Mexico's Secretariat of Public Administration and other agencies began investigating Pemex employees to determine whether they conspired with the alleged smugglers.

Write to Susan Daker at susan.daker@dowjones.com

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124994911799021157.html

The U.S. is returning $2.4 million in funds generated from smuggling to the Mexican government, a spokeswoman for ICE said.

Do what? Who is paying this money? Or is this money that the police found?