Austin, TX — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is praising investigators with the Texas Department of Agriculture and law enforcement agencies across the state for their work in a massive grain-theft investigation that has already led to three arrests.
The case, which Texan Report previously covered, began with a grain-theft complaint in Guadalupe County and eventually expanded into a multi-county investigation involving 176 stolen loads of grain weighing approximately 9.12 million pounds.
TDA said investigators are also examining additional loads that may have been stolen, bringing the total under review to more than 200 loads valued at more than $800,000.
In a statement released September 1, Miller said TDA’s specialized knowledge of grain operations helped investigators trace the alleged thefts across multiple jurisdictions.
“This was an alleged organized operation targeting Texas agriculture on a massive scale, and I’m damn proud the Texas Department of Agriculture helped law enforcement follow the trail,” Miller said.
TDA personnel assisted investigators by reviewing grain warehouse records, scale weight tickets, inventories, storage and handling records, and other documentation tied to the movement of grain.
Miller also praised Guadalupe County Sheriff Joshua Ray and investigators for continuing to pursue the case beyond the original complaint.
He said crimes involving stolen grain can directly threaten the livelihood of Texas farmers and rural families.
“When somebody steals a farmer’s grain, they are stealing that farmer’s paycheck and threatening the livelihood of Texas families,” Miller said.
The investigation remains active, and authorities have said additional arrests are possible.