World · Latin America · 2 hrs ago
Mexico arrests 11 people in fuel theft investigations
Mexican authorities arrested 11 people in three operations between October 13 and 21 over suspected fuel theft and illegal sales.
The operations took place in Veracruz, Tamaulipas, Querétaro and Mexico City.
More than 100 vehicles and about 1.5 million litres of fuel were seized at four properties in Reynosa, Tamaulipas; 71 of the vehicles were fuel tankers.
The investigations target huachicol, the theft and illegal sale of hydrocarbons, and have examined suspected links among people and companies.
Investigators suspect some networks used shell companies and complex corporate structures to operate.
The cases also include an investigation into fuel mixing and at least two gas stations that authorities say sold fuel that did not meet official standards.
The prosecutor's office says it aims to trace the networks to their shareholders and companies, while investigations into those involved continue.
Mexican authorities arrested 11 people in three operations targeting suspected fuel-theft networks between October 13 and 21.
The operations took place in Veracruz, Tamaulipas, Querétaro and Mexico City.
Authorities seized more than 100 vehicles, including 71 tanker trucks, and about 1.5 million litres of fuel in one operation in Tamaulipas.
The investigations aim to identify companies and shareholders behind the suspected networks, as well as people operating on the ground.
- Who
- Mexico’s Federal Attorney General’s Office and its specialized organized crime unit carried out the operations with other security forces.
- What
- Authorities arrested 11 people in three investigations into suspected fuel theft and illegal fuel sales.
- When
- The arrests took place between October 13 and 21. The article was published October 30, 2026.
- Where
- Veracruz, Tamaulipas, Querétaro and Mexico City.
- Why
- The investigations target suspected organized crime involving the theft and illegal sale of hydrocarbons.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A government agency reported that a Mexican-flagged vessel lacked documents required to possess or store hydrocarbons, prompting one investigation.
Court-authorized searches in at least two states began another investigation, in which authorities seized equipment, fuel and documents.
FEMDO began field documentation of products, people and companies potentially involved in a fuel-related investigation.
Authorities arrested six people in four states; a judge ordered them held in pretrial detention.
Authorities searched four properties in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, arrested two people and seized more than 100 vehicles and about 1.5 million litres of hydrocarbons.
Authorities arrested three people in Querétaro and Mexico City in a third investigation.
- Arrests
- 11 people between October 13 and 21
- Operations
- Three
- Locations
- Veracruz, Tamaulipas, Querétaro and Mexico City
- Seizure in Tamaulipas
- About 1.5 million litres of hydrocarbons
- Vehicles seized
- More than 100, including 71 tanker trucks