Cuban Nationals Nabbed in $Million Multistate Auto Theft Ring

McALLEN, Texas – In a major blow to transnational auto thieves, U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the arrest of two Cuban nationals for their roles in a nationwide multimillion-dollar auto theft ring.

Sadiel Noa-Aguila, 42, and Miguel Baez-Echevarria, 36, were taken into custody on charges related to the exportation of stolen motor vehicles. Noa-Aguila is set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker in McAllen, while Baez will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Wexler in Las Vegas.

According to the criminal complaint, authorities launched an investigation in 2024 that uncovered a large ring linked to numerous vehicle thefts nationwide. The charges allege the vehicles were primarily stolen from major metropolitan airports and surrounding areas, including Las Vegas; Phoenix, Arizona; Salt Lake City, Utah; Denver, Colorado; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Texas cities including Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.

As part of the scheme, co-conspirators allegedly used electronic devices to steal the vehicles and reprogram key fobs. They then equipped the vehicles with fraudulent license plates or altered vehicle identification numbers before reselling them, according to the charges. Several vehicles were also allegedly exported to Mexico through ports of entry in Hidalgo County and El Paso.

Noa-Aguila allegedly attempted to export one of the vehicles, a 2022 GMC Sierra AT4, through a port of entry in Hidalgo County on October 1, 2024. It had been reported stolen in Denver the previous month, according to the allegations. The charges allege Baez is linked to the theft of at least 15 additional vehicles and estimates the organization stole vehicles worth millions of dollars in total.

Both Noa-Aguila and Baez are charged with aiding and abetting the exportation of stolen motor vehicles, which carries a maximum 10-year prison term upon conviction. Baez also faces charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, for which he could receive up to 20 years in federal prison.

The investigation was led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Homeland Security Investigations, in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and several other law enforcement agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberto Lopez Jr. is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.