Mexican Drug Cartels, Human Smugglers Use Fraudulent Texas Paper Tags to Conceal Identities, Evade Arrest

Mexican drug cartels and human smugglers were discovered to use fraudulent Texas paper tags to evade law enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border.

An NBC 5 investigation found that Mexican drug cartel operatives were able to exploit the weaknesses at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and get real temporary Texas paper tags registered to false names and addresses.

Federal agents told NBC 5 that those tags were used to disguise the ownership of smuggling vehicles, which makes it harder for investigators to stop the flow of illegal drugs and undocumented immigrants along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Richard Sanchez, assistant special agent in charge at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), noted that the scheme has been consistent and has been happening for quite some time.

Sanchez said there were also some undercover investigations where DEA agents saw drug traffickers instructing people on the benefits of using paper tags to move shipments, with some of the paper tags directly given to undercover agents.

Sanchez noted that the undercover agents were even instructed to fix that tag to the vehicle. Authorities said the paper tags are a "dream" for drug traffickers as it makes it harder for police to determine who owns a smuggling vehicle.

A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent, who once investigated the sale of fraudulent Texas paper tags, told NBC 5 that human smugglers also obtained the paper tags from Mexico's side of the border as they try to have some legitimacy as they cross into the U.S.

The FBI agent noted that smugglers only need a printer and an internet connection. State troopers that Texas Governor Greg Abbott has deployed to the border have also encountered paper tags in their investigations.

In a statement sent to NBC 5, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said it is aware of the growing problem with the fraudulent temporary tags and is working to combat it by identifying cases where fraudulent tags are involved in crimes.

The DPS added that they are also sending more DPS troopers to special training to help them identify fraudulent tags.

NBC 5 also obtained videos of DPS troopers chasing suspected drug traffickers and human smugglers in cars with paper tags in the border region.

In one incident in Laredo, an SUV with a paper tag carrying bales of drugs rushed off the road and down through a large drainage ditch as the driver tried to escape.

Operation Targeting Texas Paper Tags Use by Mexican Drug Cartels and Human Smugglers

Earlier this month, the Fort Worth Police Department in Texas said it has launched a special operation in high crime areas aimed at taking fraudulent paper tags off the streets, according to another NBC 5 report.

Police said they have already apprehended a couple of suspects using fraudulent tags in an effort to conceal other crimes. They stopped 41 cars, which led to 16 arrests for other more serious crimes. Fort Worth Chief Neil Noakes noted that police found weapons, drugs, and people with felony warrants.

Fort Worth Deputy Chief Pedro Criado said they have three open investigations in three locations of their city that are illegally distributing and selling the paper tags.

DEA earlier said they busted a major fentanyl smuggling ring in Fort Worth and found it using paper tags. Eduardo Chavez, DEA special agent in charge, told NBC 5 that every vehicle this group was using to transport their illegal drugs was using temporary tags.

Human Smugglers

In a statement, Jack Staton, acting special agent in charge for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, Texas, said human smugglers have no concern for humanity, adding that it is just a money business for them.

Staton further noted that human smugglers look at people "as merchandise, "as a way to make money." Staton said human smuggling on the U.S.-Mexico border is a daily occurrence, with the Rio Grande being the busiest area for human smuggling activity right now.

According to ICE, smugglers move humans as part of cargo transports, in vehicles, boats, tractor-trailers, trucks, and boxcars on trains. Human smugglers also use legitimate transportation options such as commercial buses and flights.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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