Six people have been arrested in a large-scale investigation into an alleged operation trafficking stolen petroleum supplies, with investigators confiscating millions of dollars in vehicles, bank accounts, cash, jewelry, and oil.
The Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigations Division executed a number of search and arrest warrants on August 12 as part of a long-term investigation involving local, state, and federal agencies.
Investigators focused on Vallee, a Texas-based oil and gas corporation suspected of systematic petroleum theft and trafficking.
According to the DPS, investigators executed 17 search warrants in Texas’ Reeves, Rockwall, Kaufman, and Hunt counties, as well as Garvin County in Oklahoma.
Six persons, including members of the company’s executive team, have been arrested on state charges. The cases are being handled by the 143rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office. In its announcement, the DPS did not identify the suspects or describe the allegations.
Authorities reported seizing 60 motor cars and off-road vehicles worth at around $2.85 million, as well as 34 luxury watches and pieces of jewelry valued at $443,000.
Investigators also recovered $786,215 in cash and 2,600 barrels of gasoline products for an estimated $220,402.
Eight bank accounts worth more than $8 million were also targeted in asset forfeiture procedures.
According to the figures disclosed by DPS, the seized assets total at least $12.3 million, though the final amount could be greater because the agency listed the bank accounts as having more than $8 million.
The operation was carried out by the DPS CID’s Organized Oilfield Theft Prevention Unit in collaboration with the 143rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the Reeves and Loving County Sheriff’s Offices, the FBI El Paso Midland Resident Agency, the DPS CID’s North Texas Region, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations.
Law enforcement departments from Kermit, Midland, Ward, Rockwall, Hunt, and Kaufman counties also assisted.
The investigation is still ongoing, and DPS stated further arrests and asset seizures are expected.
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