Six Arrested in Texas Oil Theft Investigation, Authorities Seize More Than $12 Million in Assets
MIDLAND, Texas – Six people have been arrested in a wide-ranging investigation into an alleged operation trafficking stolen petroleum products, with authorities seizing millions of dollars in vehicles, bank accounts, cash, jewelry and oil.
The Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigations Division carried out a series of search and arrest warrants Aug. 12 as part of a long-term investigation involving local, state and federal agencies.
Investigators focused on a Texas-based oil and gas company doing business as Vallee, which authorities suspect of participating in the organized theft and trafficking of petroleum products.
DPS said investigators have executed 17 search warrants across Reeves, Rockwall, Kaufman and Hunt counties in Texas and Garvin County, Oklahoma.
Six people, including members of the company’s corporate leadership, have been arrested on state charges. The cases are being prosecuted by the 143rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office. DPS did not identify the defendants or specify the charges in its announcement.
Authorities reported seizing 60 motor vehicles and off-road vehicles valued at approximately $2.85 million, along with 34 luxury watches and pieces of jewelry valued at about $443,000.
Investigators also seized $786,215 in cash and approximately 2,600 barrels of petroleum products with an estimated market value of $220,402.
Eight bank accounts containing an estimated total of more than $8 million were also targeted in asset forfeiture proceedings.
Based on the values released by DPS, the seized assets total at least $12.3 million, although the final amount could be higher because the agency described the bank accounts as containing more than $8 million.
DPS CID’s Organized Oilfield Theft Prevention Unit conducted the operation with the 143rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Reeves and Loving county sheriff’s offices, FBI El Paso’s Midland Resident Agency, DPS CID’s North Texas Region and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
Law enforcement agencies in Kermit, Midland, Ward County, Rockwall County, Hunt County and Kaufman County also assisted.
The investigation remains active, and DPS said additional arrests and asset seizures are anticipated.
