Washington Examiner

Mexican cartels drive retail theft surge.

Mexican Cartels Expanding Global Criminal Empires with Organized‌ Retail Crime

Mexican⁤ cartels are not only involved in human⁢ smuggling ⁢and⁤ the fentanyl epidemic but have also expanded ⁢their criminal operations to include organized⁣ retail ‍crime. These ‌cartels are⁤ targeting ⁤big-box stores, luxury retail⁤ brands, and⁢ small businesses, ⁢stealing goods and‌ selling them online.⁣ To launder the profits, ‌they are using ‍Chinese brokers.

A Growing Enterprise

According to Eric DeLaune, special agent in‍ charge at the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland‌ Security Investigations, organized ⁤retail crime is a $70⁣ billion a year ‍enterprise. These theft rings are⁤ not just shoplifters but ⁤part of a larger criminal network that has infiltrated ‍every⁣ state.

“In contrast to shoplifters, organized⁣ theft groups engage in ‌large-scale⁣ thefts which ​rely on teams of ‘boosters’ who steal goods from ‌major retail stores, ​’cleaners’⁢ who disguise the origins of stolen merchandise, ‘fencers’ who ⁣resell products through brick-and-mortar fronts and major e-commerce ‌websites, ⁤and professional money launderers ⁢who funnel ‍illicit profits to criminals orchestrating schemes,” HSI‍ wrote in a ⁣June press release.

Similar to ‍how Mexican ‍cartels use Chinese brokers to funnel fentanyl profits back to Mexico,‍ the ⁤cartels involved in retail crime send their money back to Mexico⁤ through the same ​Chinese money ‌launderers.

A ⁤Rise in Organized Retail⁣ Crime

Since the pandemic, organized retail crime has seen a‌ significant increase. ‍This rise coincided with coronavirus lockdowns, rioting, and looting following the George Floyd protests, as well⁤ as lenient punishments‌ for crimes like⁢ theft in some liberal cities. ⁣The National Retail Federation reported a 26.5%‌ increase in organized ⁤retail crime incidents between 2020 and 2021.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim⁣ Griffin highlighted that the issue affects both‍ Fortune 500 companies and small businesses​ in small towns. He‌ emphasized the need ⁣to address ‍the cultural acceptance of criminal activity.

“Let me tell you the difficult thing to change and establish, and that is culture,” Griffin said during a ⁣press conference. “It’s all over the ​country but particularly in some‌ of our cities — when‍ you ⁢have a​ culture that you can⁢ violate the ‌law, steal, burglarize, ‌do whatever ​you ‌want and the⁣ feds ‍and ‍the state​ and everybody else will ‍just sit around and watch,‍ you’ve got a problem. And it goes way, way beyond organized retail crime.”

The Impact and Call for Action

Organized‍ theft groups have‍ become more brazen, committing thefts in broad daylight and resorting to violence against customers and ⁤employees who try to stop them. Videos of employees being ⁤assaulted or killed by thieves have gone viral,‍ raising concerns among‍ consumers.

The National Retail Federation survey found that ⁣nearly two-thirds of consumers are worried about gang-led ⁢shoplifting in‍ their communities, with 75% of consumers in ⁤cities expressing concern.

The impact of organized retail crime extends beyond⁢ the loss of tax revenue. It ​affects jobs and limits⁢ choices​ in communities.⁤ Sen. Chuck ​Grassley proposed ​the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act ​to address⁣ this​ issue,‌ but the bill has yet ⁣to gain traction‍ in Washington.

However,‌ there is⁤ public support for action against these ⁢criminals.⁤ Consumers believe that prosecutors,​ law enforcement, and the courts are⁤ too lenient​ on those who⁢ steal ‌from stores.

A Line in the Sand

The recent partnership ⁤between HSI, U.S. attorneys, and industry leaders from Albertsons, Home Depot, and Walmart aims to combat ⁢organized retail crime. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin sees ‌this partnership as‍ a clear message to criminals that they​ will be⁤ pursued no matter where they are.

“What this ‌says is we’re going to come after you no matter where⁣ you are,” Griffin said.



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