World · North America · 2 hrs ago
Mexican cartels steal US rental vehicles for use and conversion
Mexican cartels are stealing rental cars and trucks across the United States and taking them to Mexico.
The thefts affect vehicles rented in many places, including California, Texas, New York, Chicago and Miami, though California is described as the main target.
Cartel operatives often rent vehicles and drive them across the border, rather than stealing them by breaking in.
Some heavy-duty trucks are turned into armored vehicles with gun mounts for use against rivals or authorities.
The number taken into Mexico each year is unknown, but estimates put it in the thousands, and recovery businesses say they find only a small share.
California Highway Patrol figures show about 850 vehicles stolen in California were recovered in Mexico each year since 2023, though the figures do not say how many were rentals.
California rules delay GPS tracking until after the rental is overdue and the renter is notified, which rental industry representatives say makes recovery harder.
The scale of the thefts and their costs remain uncertain, and the figures cited do not establish how many rental vehicles are involved.
Mexican cartels are stealing rental vehicles in the United States and driving them across the border, with California reported as the top target.
The vehicles include heavy-duty pickups, Jeeps, SUVs and luxury cars, and some trucks are converted with armor, firing ports and gun mounts.
The number of rental vehicles taken to Mexico each year is unknown, but it is believed to be in the thousands.
California Highway Patrol figures show about 850 vehicles stolen in California have been recovered in Mexico each year since 2023.
Rental industry representatives say California restrictions on GPS tracking make it harder to recover vehicles.
- Who
- Mexican cartels and their operatives are stealing rental vehicles. Rental agencies and investigators are trying to recover them.
- What
- Vehicles rented in the United States are driven across the border for cartel use; some trucks are converted into armored vehicles.
- When
- The thefts are ongoing. Investigators reported several thefts earlier in 2026 and recovery requests last week.
- Where
- Vehicles have been stolen across the United States and taken to Mexico. California is reported to be the top target.
- Why
- Cartels use the vehicles to move drugs, and some are used against rival cartels or authorities. Rental industry representatives say California GPS restrictions hinder recovery.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
About 850 vehicles stolen in California have been recovered in Mexico each year, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Criminal groups stole 10 new Ram pickup trucks from airports in Oakland, Los Angeles and Las Vegas; investigators recovered one with help from the Mexican army.
Thieves stole six 2026 Jeep Wranglers from Oakland and Las Vegas; four had been recovered by the time of the report.
Investigators received requests to recover 12 stolen Rams tracked to Sinaloa and seven to Durango.
- Estimated annual thefts
- Thousands of vehicles are believed to be taken to Mexico each year; the total is unknown.
- California recoveries
- About 850 vehicles stolen in California recovered in Mexico each year since 2023.
- Ram trucks
- 10 new trucks stolen from Oakland, Los Angeles and Las Vegas airports; one recovered.
- Jeep Wranglers
- Six 2026 models stolen from Oakland and Las Vegas; four recovered.
- California tracking rules
- Rental agencies must wait until the return deadline has passed and the renter has been notified before activating GPS tracking.
What people are saying
Anything that can drive through tough terrain to get away from border patrol so they can move dope
California allows criminals to take advantage of the fact that we are not allowed to see where the vehicle is until it’s too late
Members are reporting a sharp increase in rental vehicle theft from California into Mexico, where California law uniquely restricts rental fleet operators from accessing technology to protect and recover their assets
Sources
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