Congressman Gonzales Highlights Concerns on Border Security and Oil Theft to FBI Director Wray

Congressman Gonzales Highlights Concerns on Border Security and Oil Theft to FBI Director Wray

Date: April 15, 2024 Tony Gonzales

During a recent House Appropriations hearing, Congressman Tony Gonzales of Texas took the opportunity to discuss two pressing issues with FBI Director Christopher Wray: the alarming threat posed by the Venezuelan gang, Tren De Aragua, and the surge in oil theft incidents in West Texas. Gonzales, highlighting the urgency of the situation, pointed out the potential for Tren De Aragua to follow in the footsteps of the notorious MS13 gang, given its escalating influence across the United States due to the border crisis. He underscored the essential need for a unified approach across local, state, and federal levels to effectively counter the gang’s spread.

Aside from gang-related concerns, Congressman Gonzales turned the spotlight towards a significant economic issue affecting his constituency – the rise in oil theft in the Permian Basin, a critical region for the U.S. energy sector. Stressing the need for specialized assistance, Gonzales conveyed requests from West Texas law enforcement agencies, who are currently grappling with this growing threat to local and national energy infrastructure.

In his response, Director Wray acknowledged the complexity of these challenges. He highlighted the establishment of the Permian Basin Oil Field Task Force, a collaborative effort involving state and local law enforcement alongside vetted oil field security personnel, which aims to streamline investigations and combat oil-related crimes more effectively. Director Wray’s remarks underscored the FBI’s commitment to addressing both the immediate concern of oil theft and the broader issue of international gang activity impacting U.S. communities.