Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My questions will be directed to the officers present.
Some commentators have argued that these auto thefts are essentially victimless crimes and that we're dealing purely with property theft. Some commentators have argued that, not only are minimum sentences and stiffer sentences ineffective, they would be unjust—an opinion that I obviously do not agree with. We know this is not a victimless crime. Organized crime isn't putting the massive profits they are making off these stolen vehicles towards beneficial uses for society.
I'm hoping you can illustrate to us what your intelligence is telling you about what the profits from auto thefts are doing in our country. Are they contributing to firearm violence? Are they contributing to our drug epidemic? Can you give us some more details and context about what these stolen vehicles are paying for in our country?