Oil Theft Scheme Uncovered in Permian Basin

0:00It's April 23rd, you're listening to El Paso News today, AI-powered local news. A federal grand jury in Lubbock, Texas, indicted 14 people from Texas and New Mexico for a massive oil theft scheme in the Permian Basin, the top. Oil-producing region in the United States. They stole crude from producers in eastern New Mexico, stored some on land one least from the government, then sold it way below market rates too. Fires in on the scam who shipped it across the state line. Meanwhile, the Permian Basin stretches across West Texas and southeast New Mexico, spanning about 250 miles wide and 300 miles. Long, fueling nearly 40% of America's oil and 15% of its natural gas. U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybout announced the charges on April 23rd, hitting each with conspiracy to move stolen goods across state lines, plus, counts for transporting, receiving, or selling the oil. These say convictions could mean up to five years on conspiracy in 10 years per other

1:02count, sending a clear message that these thefts won't. Slide in the heart of U.S. energy production.