After more than a year of allegedly pilfering pork and beef from Midwestern plants, a Miami-based organized crime ring has been uncovered. The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office originally began an investigation into the theft of several semi-trailers and loads of frozen beef in Lancaster County, Nebraska, June 27.
In the initial investigation, the estimated loss was $1 million. Since June 2021, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigation Omaha, has identified approximately 45 thefts that occurred across Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, totaling $9 million in loss.
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The investigation, led by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and HSI Omaha’s Major Crimes Task Force, determined that a Miami-based, highly sophisticated organized criminal enterprise targeted beef and pork packaging plants in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
On Oct. 20, HSI Omaha, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol, assisted by HSI Miami – El Dorado Task Force South, identified and arrested three allegedly principal targets in the organized criminal enterprise, recovering three tractor trailers with stolen merchandise valued at $550,000.
According to news releases, the three people arrested were Yoslany Leyva Del Sol, Ledier Machin Andino, and Delvis L. Fuentes, all from the Miami area. The three were arrested under 18 U.S. Code 2314 Transportation of Stolen Goods and 18 U.S. Code 1956 Money Laundering.
This investigation is ongoing and part of the HSI Omaha and Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Task Force.
