Mexico’s Attorney General announced on Sunday that authorities have arrested 14 suspects involved in the illegal fuel trade, stressing that operations will continue as new intelligence emerges from ongoing investigations.
The case stems from the March 19 seizure of an oil tanker at the Port of Tampico, carrying around 63,000 barrels of crude oil, along with containers and vehicles used for storage and transportation.
Tracking data from LSEG revealed that the tanker, Challenge Procyon, had arrived from the United States. Mexican authorities stated that the shipment was crude oil subject to special import taxes, but customs documents falsely declared it as tax-exempt petrochemicals.
Attorney General Alejandro Gertz described the seizure as:
“One of the largest in recent history linked to this crime, which has triggered a series of investigative and intelligence operations exposing part of the criminal structure behind these activities. There will be further actions.”
According to Gertz, investigations confirmed the existence of a criminal organization engaged in oil theft and fuel smuggling, operating through forged documentation, collusion with customs agencies, and corrupt public officials, Reuters reported.
