(Lancaster County, NE) -- A Nebraska Sheriff's Office helps bring down a criminal theft ring that stole millions of dollars worth of products from Midwest beef and pork producers.
The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office says on June 27th, they began an investigation into several stolen semi-trailers and loads of frozen beef occurring in Nebraska. Since June of 2021 the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office says, in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigation-Omaha, they've identified approximately 45 thefts that have occurred across Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. The total losses are $9 million across the six Midwestern states.
The sheriff's office says through the investigation, led by them and HSI-Omaha’s Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined that a, "highly sophisticated Organized Criminal Enterprise is based out of Miami, Florida and has been targeting beef and pork packaging plants in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin."
On Thursday, October 20th, HSI Omaha, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol, with assistance from HSI-Miami El Dorado Task Force South, identified and arrested three principal targets in the Organized Criminal Enterprise. Investigators were also able to recover three tractor trailers with stolen merchandise valued at $550,000. The three people that were arrested were 38 year old Yoslany Leyva Del Sol, 37 year old Ledier Machin Andino and 39 year old Delvis L. Fuentes. All three suspects are from the Miami, Florida area and were arrested under 18 U.S. Code 2314 Transportation of Stolen Goods and 18 U.S. Code 1956 Money Laundering.
The investigation is ongoing and is part of Homeland Security Investigations-Omaha and Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Task Force.