Part 10/12:
The stolen crude oil is sold at a substantial discount, fueling a hidden economy that feeds legitimate and illicit markets across North America. The existing loopholes in customs enforcement, the use of shell companies, and the complicity of port officials facilitate this massive flow of stolen energy resources.
Recent seizures—such as the land-based intercepts linked to trucking firms like Mephra Fletes—highlight how pervasive and sophisticated these supply chains are. Warranted arrests are only the tip of the iceberg; many involved continue operations under the radar.