Florida authorities have officially cracked a massive organized crime operation responsible for a staggering $7.8 million in losses, leading to the arrest of six men accused of orchestrating a sophisticated cargo theft ring. The group allegedly targeted the state’s supply chain for nearly two years, hitting commercial hubs across Orange, Broward, Polk, Osceola, St. Lucie, and Volusia counties.
The Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution filed charges against Alayn Espinosa Lopez, Yerrison Perez, Yasser Mederos Garcia, Alexis Suarez Hernandez, Alejandro Valdes, and Arley Osmany Hernandez Relova. The group now faces charges of Grand Theft and Conspiracy to Commit Grand Theft after being linked to at least 32 separate cargo thefts and one vessel theft.
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“This organized criminal operation targeted Florida’s supply chain and caused nearly $7.8 million in losses across our state,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Thanks to the coordination between the Florida Highway Patrol, the Orlando Police Department, and our Office of Statewide Prosecution, this group was identified and dismantled. Now, they’ll answer for their crimes in court.”
The investigation kicked off in May 2023 when a wave of thefts involving unattended semi-trailers began surfacing around Orlando. Detectives quickly realized they weren’t dealing with random crimes. This was a “Major Theft Organization” that systematically scouted parking lots and distribution corridors to find trailers loaded with high-value goods. The haul was diverse, ranging from consumer electronics and copper wire to HVAC equipment, energy drinks, and high-end wine and spirits.
Once a trailer was snatched, the group reportedly worked quickly to find and disable GPS tracking devices to stay off the radar. The stolen goods were then hauled down to South Florida, where the items were offloaded to co-conspirators for resale on the black market. According to the Florida Highway Patrol Cargo Theft Unit, between May 2023 and March 2025, the group made off with approximately 51 commercial vehicles and 28 full cargo shipments.
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“This case highlights the strength of Florida’s law enforcement partnerships and our shared commitment to protecting Florida’s communities and economy,” said Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner. “The Florida Highway Patrol will continue to work closely with the Attorney General’s Office and our local partners to ensure that organized theft rings are identified, dismantled, and held fully accountable under the law.”
The takedown was a massive collaborative effort involving the FHP’s Cargo Theft Task Force and nearly a dozen local departments. Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze praised the “exceptional commitment” of his team and their coordination with the Orlando Police Department, as well as sheriff’s offices in Orange, Polk, St. Lucie, and Miami-Dade.
“This operation demonstrates what’s possible when agencies work together to hold criminal organizations accountable,” said Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith. “Organized cargo theft is not a victimless crime – it drives up costs for businesses and consumers alike. The Orlando Police Department is proud of its detectives, who played a key role in initiating this investigation and is thankful for our partners at FHP and the Attorney General’s office of statewide prosecution.”
All six defendants are currently in custody. If convicted on all counts, the group faces a staggering combined maximum penalty of up to 300 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.
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