In September, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) announced they busted a multi-county commercial vehicle theft operation.
Agents arrested Leonel Diaz Pairol, for his alleged role in a criminal enterprise involving stolen commercial vehicles, fraudulent vehicle identification numbers (VINs), and falsified title documentation spanning multiple counties in South Florida.
“The theft of commercial trucks and trailers is not a victimless crime — it drives up the cost of goods and services for every Floridian,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “Thanks to the diligent work of our Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, a major player in a sophisticated vehicle theft and fraud operation has been taken off the streets. We will continue to aggressively investigate and disrupt criminal enterprises that target Florida’s businesses, consumers, and supply chains.”
In 2023, OALE received a referral regarding a criminal enterprise involved in the trafficking of stolen property, fraudulent VINs, and falsified title documentation across South Florida.
Over the course of the investigation, OALE Special Agents identified a semi-trailer bearing a counterfeit VIN and fraudulent paperwork. The trailer was intercepted in Immokalee, Florida, during a traffic stop and was linked to EZH Transport Inc., owned by Leonel Diaz Pairol. Further review revealed that OALE had previously seized three VIN-swapped semi-tractors from Diaz Pairol and EZH Transport. Title histories confirmed that falsified documents and fraudulent rebuild inspection records were submitted in connection with these vehicles.
Further inquiries revealed that Diaz Pairol was associated with multiple fraudulent semi-truck rebuilds, including a Freightliner tractor valued at approximately $140,000 that had been reported stolen from Miami-Dade County. Fraudulent title applications, falsified repair records, and VIN alterations were systematically used to conceal stolen vehicles.
On September 8, 2025, OALE Special Agents arrested Diaz Pairol in connection with this enterprise. He was transported to the Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center pending judicial proceedings.
Leonel Diaz Pairol was arrested and charged with felony offenses.
