Pentagon ordered to report on cartel fuel smuggling into the U.S.

What does this do?

Senate bill S 4544 requires the Department of Defense to study and produce a report on how Mexican drug cartels steal and smuggle fuel — including crude oil, diesel, and gasoline — into the United States. Smugglers have reportedly mislabeled stolen oil as "waste oil" to move it across the border, primarily through Texas. The report must be delivered to congressional defense committees within 180 days of enactment.

Who does it affect?

The bill primarily affects federal agencies including the Department of Defense, the Department of the Treasury, the DEA, and the FBI, all of which would need to coordinate on the issue. U.S.-based businesses in Texas's oil industry may also be affected, as some have reportedly received stolen oil shipments.

Why does it matter?

Congress has identified cartel fuel theft as one of the cartels' largest revenue sources outside of drug trafficking, which is itself linked to fentanyl smuggling into the United States. The report is required to assess both existing military efforts to counter the smuggling and additional non-combat measures that could be taken, such as intelligence sharing and cooperation with foreign security forces.

Where does it stand?