Portacelis Gas and Oil investigated for 834 million peso tax fraud

Mexico’s Tax Administration Service (SAT) has requested the General Prosecutor's Office (FGR) to pursue criminal action against Portacelis Gas and Oil. The company is under investigation for a suspected ‘tax fuel smuggling’ scheme that allegedly caused a loss of over 834 million pesos to the public treasury.

According to reports, the company allegedly used false information in 139 import declarations for fuel transported in rail tanks between February and June 2025 to evade taxes and duties. Investigations by Mexicanos contra la Corrupción y la Impunidad (MCCI) identify Juan Carlos de la Cruz Murillo as the former sole administrator of the company. De la Cruz Murillo is described as a trusted operator and alleged front man for businessman Jorge Amílcar Olán.

The SAT's complaint targets current administrator José Alonso Ulin Hernández, company employees, and customs agents. Customs agent Víctor José Carretero Zardeneta is also implicated; he reportedly fled to the United States in January after evading an FGR operation at the Matamoros-Brownsville border and faces prior arrest warrants for hydrocarbon smuggling.