Sheriff links Mexican cartels to $2.25 million theft of Central California farm equipment

A sheriff's office in Central California announced a big theft ring of AG equipment has been uncovered and claim Mexican cartels are funding it.

They blame the problem on an unsecured border and say lawmakers must be held accountable.

Crooks have been stealing heavy AG equipment from farms across Central California since March, according to officials.

Losses to farmers total $2.25 million and on Tuesday law enforcement served six separate search warrants in Hollister, Los Banos, Riverdale, and Lindsay.

"All of these findings suggest and have led us to a very sophisticated network of thieves trafficking heavy agricultural equipment and machinery as an organized criminal activity," Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said.

In arrests made earlier this year, truck drivers told detectives all of the stolen ag equipment was destined for Mexico.

Sheriff Boudreaux says one truck driver deputies arrested last week has crossed the border 23 times in one month and more than 500 times in the past two years.

The crooks are aware that many pieces of AG equipment have GPS devices so they're removed, authorities stated. They're also going through the extra efforts to sneak the tractors down the highway.

"They're putting the equipment inside truck cargo rigs so that's enclosed and you can't see them," Boudreaux said.

Despite the hefty price tag on AG equipment, the crimes are non-violent offenses.

"This is Sacramento's fault for not holding people accountable because they don't feel worried about stealing this equipment. They don't feel concerned," Boudreaux said.

The truck drivers arrested face charges of grand theft, conspiracy, and receiving stolen property. A deputy district attorney says the maximum sentence would be three years behind bars.