Sheriff links Mexican cartels to $2.25 million theft of Central California farm equipment

A sheriff's office in Central California announced a big theft ring of AG equipment has been uncovered and claims Mexican cartels are funding it.

They blame the problem on an unsecured border and say lawmakers must be held accountable.

Crooks have been stealing heavy AG equipment from farms across Central California since March, according to officials.

Losses to farmers total $2.25 million and on Tuesday law enforcement served six separate search warrants in Hollister, Los Banos, Riverdale, and Lindsay.

"All of these findings suggest and have led us to a very sophisticated network of thieves trafficking heavy agricultural equipment and machinery as an organized criminal activity," Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said.

In arrests made earlier this year, truck drivers told detectives all of the stolen ag equipment was destined for Mexico.

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