WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — On Thursday, Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales questioned Federal Bureau of Investigations Director Christopher Wray about the growing threats for Americans amid the alleged border crisis, according to Congressman Gonzales' office. Congressman Gonzales questioned FBI Director Wray at the House Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing.
According to a press release, at the hearing, Congressman Gonzales spoke about the Venezuelan gang Tren De Aragua, which allegedly caused chaos throughout Central and South America. Congressman Gonzales' office says TDA is growing its influence in the United States.
“In three years, we're going to be talking about TDA no different than we're talking about MS-13. And it's going to be the communities that get ahead of it that create these task forces... that utilize these task forces at the local, state, and federal level to combat these Venezuelan gangs. Once again, I live the border. We're in year four of this…year four is much different than year one," said Congressman Gonzales during the hearing.
During the week of April 1, Congressman Gonzales met with law enforcement in the Permian Basin. He spoke with Winkler County Sheriff Darin Mitchell and Kermit Chief of Police Jaime Ramos about the rise in alleged oil theft in West Texas.
Congressman Gonzales said during the hearing that "oil theft" in the Permian Basin is a problem.
"All my sheriffs are asking for help," Congressman Gonzales said. "Are there any opportunities to expand the FBI oil field theft task force?”
In response, FBI Director Wray talked about how well law enforcement is doing in West Texas.
“We're very proud of the work that our West Texas offices are doing in terms of the Permian Basin Oil Field Task Force. It's created due to the fact that I think something like 40% of the oil in the U.S. comes from the West Texas region," FBI Director Wray said. "That task force... has not only state and local law enforcement participation, but we also have, which is a bit innovative, cleared oil field security personnel... typically they're former law enforcement as well... on the task force. It's a way to kind of track oil field crime to ensure that investigations move as quickly as and effectively as possible. It's something we're very focused on.”
