# Legal proceedings against Ernesto Ruffo Appel > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20260928-legal-proceedings-against-ernesto-ruffo-appel-1 > Updated: 2026-10-07T17:32:00.000Z. Sources: 86. Developments: 6. Former Baja California Governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel is currently under house arrest in Ensenada following a 72-day period in federal custody. His transition from El Altiplano prison was granted due to his age and documented cardiac and hypertensive health issues. The Federal Attorney General's Office (FGR) is investigating Ruffo Appel for alleged involvement in organized crime and a ‘huachicol fiscal’ scheme. The investigation, led by the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO), focuses on his role as a shareholder and board member of Ingemar, a port services company. Authorities allege that Ingemar’s logistics infrastructure, including rail tanks, was utilized to facilitate fuel smuggling by declaring significantly lower volumes to customs than were actually transported. Specifically, the FGR claims containers with capacities between 30,000 and 112,000 liters were registered as carrying only 10,000 liters to evade taxes. Ruffo Appel has maintained his innocence, stating his involvement was limited to being a shareholder and secretary of the assembly with no knowledge of business operations. He maintains that all fuel imports conducted by Ingemar were legal, fully permitted, and that all applicable taxes were paid. The legal proceedings have expanded to include other Ingemar associates. Ricardo Thompson Navarro, a business partner of Ruffo Appel, has also been granted house arrest in Ensenada after being transferred from the Altiplano maximum-security prison. Thompson faces charges including organized crime, smuggling, and hydrocarbon-related offenses. He joins at least two other defendants, José María de la Peña Ramos and Guillermo de la Peña Rosales, who have also received house arrest as the investigation into Ingemar’s suspected fuel import network continues. ## Claims - The FGR claims to have conclusive evidence against Ernesto Ruffo Appel regarding his involvement in a fuel smuggling network. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The company Ingemar recorded multimillion-dollar movements in national accounts that were inconsistent with its fiscal profile. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The FGR alleges Ruffo Appel participated in the management, legal representation, and strategic decision-making of Ingemar. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Ernesto Ruffo admitted to owning 49 percent of the shares in the company Ingemar. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The investigation found that fuel tanks with capacities between 30,000 and 112,000 liters were being declared in import documents as only 10,000 liters. (corroborated by 11 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-07: Ricardo Thompson granted house arrest in fuel fraud case Businessman Ricardo Thompson Navarro has been moved from Altiplano prison to house arrest in Ensenada to face charges of organized crime and fuel smuggling related to a tax fraud investigation. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ricardo-thompson-granted-house-arrest-in-fuel-fraud-case ### 2026-10-04: Ernesto Ruffo Appel denies fuel smuggling allegations Former Baja California Governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel has moved to house arrest while denying fuel smuggling allegations involving his company, Ingemar, amid support from PAN political figures. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ernesto-ruffo-denies-fuel-tax-fraud-allegations ### 2026-10-02: Ernesto Ruffo Appel linked to fuel smuggling network by FGR The FGR claims to have strong evidence against former Baja California Governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel for his alleged role in a fuel smuggling network involving the company Ingemar. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ernesto-ruffo-implicated-in-mexican-fuel-smuggling-investigation ### 2026-09-28: Claudia Sheinbaum defends land transfer of Ernesto Ruffo Appel President Claudia Sheinbaum defended the lengthy land transfer of former governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel, stating the move to his Ensenada home for house arrest was ordered by a judge. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/claudia-sheinbaum-defends-land-transfer-of-ernesto-ruffo-appel ### 2026-09-28: Ernesto Ruffo begins house arrest in Ensenada Former Baja California governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel has moved to house arrest in Ensenada to continue his trial for alleged involvement in a fuel smuggling and tax evasion scheme. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ernesto-ruffo-returns-to-ensenada-under-house-arrest ### 2026-09-26: Ernesto Ruffo Appel transferred to house arrest in Ensenada Former Baja California governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel has moved from El Altiplano prison to house arrest in Ensenada due to health and age, while facing organized crime and fuel smuggling charges. 70 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ernesto-ruffo-appel-granted-house-arrest-in-baja-california --- Cite as: Legal proceedings against Ernesto Ruffo Appel. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20260928-legal-proceedings-against-ernesto-ruffo-appel-1