Texas TdA Leader and Auto Theft Ring Busted in Operation Take Back America

HOUSTON – In a massive sweep, federal agents have struck a severe blow to transnational crime in the Southern District of Texas. Operation Take Back America has resulted in the arrest of Sadiel Noa-Aguila and Miguel Baez-Echevarria, Cuban nationals accused of orchestrating a multimillion-dollar auto theft ring spanning major U.S. cities.

The duo is linked to numerous vehicle thefts primarily from airports, with several exports to Mexico via Hidalgo County and El Paso ports. The stolen vehicles are valued at millions of dollars, according to charges filed this week.

Among the 202 cases announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei, seven involve human smuggling, charging 125 people with illegal entry into the country. Another 65 face felony reentry charges. Many have prior convictions for crimes including narcotics and violent offenses.

Giovanni Vincente Mosquera Serrano, known as El Viejo, has been added to the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. The Venezuelan national is charged with providing support to the Tren de Aragua (TdA) terror organization and distributing cocaine in Colombia for U.S. markets. He faces life imprisonment and a $10 million reward.

Other arrests include Mexican nationals Hugo Perez-Garza, Ventura De Jesus Sandoval-Torres, and Jesus Jaime Saavedra-Orozco, all facing up to 20 years in prison for illegal reentry after prior removals.

In Laredo, Martin Alonso Diaz-Lopez was sentenced to 180 months for transporting child pornography. He possessed over 66,000 images of child rape and was apprehended upon entering the U.S. Jesus Hernandez-Herrera received a 66-month sentence for unlawful reentry after prior removal.

U.S. Attorney Ganjei declared, “Transnational criminal gangs and cartels have preyed upon Americans for far too long. That ends now. We will find you no matter where you hide and bring you to justice.”

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