Oilfield crime draws New Mexico AG’s attention in Permian Basin
Attorney General meets law enforcement after cartel-linked thefts
Growing concerns about organized crime in the oil and gas fields of New Mexico have reached the office of Raul Torrez, prompting a coordinated law enforcement response in the heart of the Permian Basin.
Torrez recently traveled to Hobbs to meet with local and state law enforcement officials as part of an effort to confront escalating oilfield theft and criminal activity tied to energy operations in southeastern New Mexico. The meeting followed a series of high-profile arrests in September involving the theft of millions of dollars’ worth of crude oil.
According to the News-Sun, authorities arrested five suspects who investigators linked to a Mexican cartel and a multi-state oil theft operation. Law enforcement officials said the same group also operated in Texas, where related crimes reportedly totaled as much as $300 million.
Crude oil theft emerging as dominant threat
The law enforcement concern mirrors what energy executives themselves are reporting. A recent survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas found that oilfield crime is no longer a fringe issue for operators.
Among 33 oil and gas executives surveyed:
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41% said oilfield theft affected their operations in the past year
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61% reported crude oil theft, making it the most commonly stolen commodity
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58% said thieves targeted piping, valves, and electrical wiring
Executives told the Dallas Fed that theft disrupts operations, increases security costs, and creates safety risks for workers and nearby communities.
Organized crime increasingly tied to energy infrastructure
Law enforcement officials have warned that oilfield theft operations have become more sophisticated, organized, and financially motivated as crude oil prices fluctuate and production expands across the Permian Basin.
Authorities say theft rings often exploit remote well sites, limited nighttime security, and long pipeline networks to siphon oil or strip valuable infrastructure components. In some cases, stolen crude oil is moved through fraudulent paperwork or blended into legitimate supply chains, complicating detection and prosecution.
The involvement of cartel-linked networks has elevated concerns for both energy security and public safety, particularly in rural oil-producing counties.
Law enforcement coordination expected to continue
While Torrez’s office has not released details on specific enforcement strategies, the Hobbs meeting signals increased coordination between local police, state agencies, and prosecutors to address the problem.
Officials have emphasized the need for cooperation across state lines, as oilfield crime networks often operate in New Mexico and Texas simultaneously, following production activity rather than jurisdictional boundaries.
The Attorney General’s office has indicated it will continue monitoring oilfield crime trends as energy development remains strong across southeastern New Mexico.
SOURCE: News-Sun
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