Seventeen Indicted in Major Denver Auto Theft Ring

Seventeen individuals have been indicted by the Denver District Attorney’s Office for their involvement in a major vehicle theft ring, accused of stealing at least 190 high-end vehicles, primarily pickup trucks, between September 2022 and February 2024. The indictment includes 222 counts, with over 100 related to auto theft and additional charges concerning drug possession and distribution. The stolen vehicles were allegedly transported to Mexico and exchanged with drug cartels, particularly the Sinaloa cartel, for cocaine and methamphetamine, which were then smuggled back into the U.S. The investigation highlighted Denver's geographical advantage for such operations, with many vehicles stolen from Denver International Airport. Authorities stated that the total loss from these thefts exceeds $9.5 million, and 11 suspects are currently in custody, while others remain at large. This case reflects ongoing challenges in combating organized crime linked to vehicle theft and drug trafficking in Colorado.