Rafael Ojeda Durán summoned as witness in maritime tax fraud case

A federal judge has summoned former Secretary of the Navy Rafael Ojeda Durán to testify as a witness in the legal proceedings against Rear Admiral Fernando Farías Laguna. However, the Attorney General's Office (FGR) has been unable to locate Ojeda Durán to deliver the official notification.

Ojeda Durán is linked to the investigation through allegations that he provided protection to his political nephews, Vice Admiral Manuel Roberto and Rear Admiral Fernando Farías. The two are accused of involvement in a “huachicol fiscal” network—a scheme involving tax fraud and the illicit control of maritime customs operations.

Defense attorney Epigmenio Mendieta stated that the request for Ojeda Durán’s testimony was one of the reasons Judge Alejandra Ramírez de la Vega decided to hold the hearings privately. Although the defense provided information regarding Ojeda Durán’s current address to the FGR, ministerial agents failed to find him. This follows previous unsuccessful attempts to question the former Secretary regarding investigations into his relatives.