Ernesto Ruffo Appel linked to process in major fuel‑smuggling case

A federal judge in Mexico linked former Baja California governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel and seven co‑accused to a criminal process for organized crime, fuel smuggling and related hydrocarbon offenses. The decision followed a marathon hearing that lasted more than 30 hours, after which the judge ordered preventive imprisonment for Ruffo and five others at the high‑security Cefereso 1 “Altiplano”. Two co‑accused received house arrest for health reasons and one remained in a penitentiary in Nezahualcóyotl.

The investigation, conducted by the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) and its specialized unit for organized crime, alleges that Ruffo and his associates operated a network centered on the company Ingemar to import millions of liters of gasoline and diesel from the United States while declaring only a fraction of the volume to customs, evading taxes. The scheme is said to have caused damage to the treasury of over 4 billion pesos, described by the FGR as the largest fuel‑smuggling ring uncovered in the country.

In parallel, the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) froze Ruffo’s bank accounts after detecting transfers totaling 18 million pesos linked to Ingemar. The case has sparked political debate over due process and accusations of selective prosecution, but the judicial proceedings continue.