Mexican federal authorities dismantled a criminal network that transported approximately 15 million litres [1] of stolen fuel by rail across the country.
The operation targets high-profile figures, including former Baja California governor Ernesto Rufo Apple and Raúl Rocha Cantú, the owner of the Miss Universo franchise. The case highlights the intersection of political power and organized crime in the illegal fuel trade, known as huachicol.
Investigators said the network used rail lines to move stolen gasoline, resulting in the securing of 129 ferrotanques [1]. Significant seizures occurred at the port of Alta Mira, where authorities recovered 10 million litres [1] of fuel, and in Saltillo, Coahuila, where another two million litres [1] were seized.
During a raid in Saltillo, federal agents detained 11 people [1]. Other reports indicate that authorities fulfilled eight orders of apprehension [2] as part of the broader crackdown. In total, 25 criminals were implicated [2] in the distribution of the stolen fuel.
Beyond the theft of gasoline, the network faced accusations of tax evasion. Authorities identified a tax evasion amount of 500,000 pesos [1]. The operation focused on several key hubs, including the port of Alta Mira and Saltillo, to disrupt the flow of illicit fuel to the national market.
Raúl Rocha Cantú has faced further scrutiny following the operation. The Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) blocked his accounts during investigations into huachicol and narcotics trafficking [3]. Additionally, a court revoked an amparo, a legal protection, previously granted to Rocha [4].
“Federal authorities dismantled a criminal network that transported approximately 15 million litres of stolen fuel.”
The implication of a former governor and a prominent business owner in a fuel-theft ring underscores the systemic nature of 'huachicol' in Mexico. By utilizing rail infrastructure and port facilities, the network operated at an industrial scale, suggesting that illegal fuel extraction is often supported by individuals with the political and financial influence to bypass standard regulatory oversight.
