Part 5/12:
Unlike illicit drugs, crude oil is a legal commodity with a consistent global demand. Cartels label stolen oil as waste or slop to facilitate its crossing into the United States under the radar. Once in the US, the stolen crude is sold to local and independent oil companies, generating profits that are often laundered through shell companies linked to criminal organizations. Schultz points out that oil’s essential and continuous demand ensures a steady market, making this crime a reliable source of income.